Action Detection and Activity Classification

ABSTRACT

Activities, actions and events during user performance of physical activity may be detected using various algorithms and templates. Templates may include an arrangement of one or more states that may identify particular event types and timing between events. Templates may be specific to a particular type of activity (e.g., types of sports, drills, events, etc.), user, terrain, time of day and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 15/060,899, filed Mar. 4, 2016, and entitled“Action Detection and Activity Classification,” which is a continuationof and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/571,664 filedDec. 16, 2014 and entitled, “Action Detection and ActivityClassification,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/401,592, filed Feb. 21, 2012, and entitled “Action Detection andActivity Classification,” which claims the benefit of priority from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/588,608, filed Jan. 19, 2012 andentitled “ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION.” The content of the above notedapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

While most people appreciate the importance of physical fitness, manyhave difficulty finding the motivation required to maintain a regularexercise program. Some people find it particularly difficult to maintainan exercise regimen that involves continuously repetitive motions, suchas running, walking and bicycling.

Additionally, individuals may view exercise as work or a chore and thus,separate it from enjoyable aspects of their daily lives. Often, thisclear separation between athletic activity and other activities reducesthe amount of motivation that an individual might have towardexercising. Further, athletic activity services and systems directedtoward encouraging individuals to engage in athletic activities mightalso be too focused on one or more particular activities while anindividual's interest are ignored. This may further decrease a user'sinterest in participating in athletic activities or using the athleticactivity services and systems.

Therefore, improved systems and methods to address these and othershortcomings in the art are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. The summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. It is neither intended to identifykey or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope ofthe disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts ofthe disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the descriptionbelow.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to activity classification values. Incertain embodiments, activity classification may be calculated. One ormore devices may use an accelerometer and/or other sensors to monitoractivity of a user. Under certain implementations, activityclassification of a user may be estimated for different activities.

According to one aspect, user actions during performance of an activitymay be detected based on templates that specify matching versusnon-matching patterns of events. In one example, templates may bedefined by a plurality of constraints which must be matched.Additionally or alternatively, template constraints may defineexclusions configured to remove one or more events from consideration asa potential match.

In some embodiments, the present invention can be partially or whollyimplemented on a computer-readable medium, for example, by storingcomputer-executable instructions or modules, or by utilizingcomputer-readable data structures.

Of course, the methods and systems of the above-referenced embodimentsmay also include other additional elements, steps, computer-executableinstructions, or computer-readable data structures.

The details of these and other embodiments are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an example of a system for providing personaltraining in accordance with example embodiments, wherein FIG. 1Aillustrates an example network configured to monitor athletic activity,and FIG. 1B illustrates an example computing device in accordance withexample embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate example sensor assemblies that may be worn by auser in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method that may be utilized to classifyactivity classification, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 shows an example flowchart that may be utilized to quantify stepsin accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example flowchart that may estimate frequency and set upa frequency search range in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example flowchart that may be utilized to implement aclassify function in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7A shows an example flowchart that may be implemented to determinewhether to utilize arm swing frequency or bounce frequency in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 7B shows an example in which the frequency off the bounce peak isgenerally twice the frequency of the arm swing peak;

FIG. 8 shows an example flowchart that may be implemented to classifyactivity and determine speed in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an annotated flowchart of an embodiment of measuringactivity of a user that may be implemented in accordance with yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for matching useractivity events to one or more action templates;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example template matchingprocess;

FIG. 12 illustrates another example template matching process;

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate example data processing flows for templatematching;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example action template;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example action template matching graph;

FIG. 16 is an example diagram of a data flow between a sensor system andan activity processing system;

FIG. 17 is another example data flow diagram for activity processing;and

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate example signal streams and events identifiedtherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which thedisclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure. Further, headings within this disclosure should not beconsidered as limiting aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in theart with the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the exampleembodiments are not limited to the example headings.

I. Example Personal Training System

A. Illustrative Computing Devices

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a personal training system 100 inaccordance with example embodiments. Example system 100 may include oneor more electronic devices, such as computer 102. Computer 102 maycomprise a mobile terminal, such as a telephone, music player, tablet,netbook or any portable device. In other embodiments, computer 102 maycomprise a set-top box (STB), desktop computer, digital videorecorder(s) (DVR), computer server(s), and/or any other desiredcomputing device. In certain configurations, computer 102 may comprise agaming console, such as for example, a Microsoft® XBOX, Sony®Playstation, and/or a Nintendo® Wii gaming consoles. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that these are merely example consoles fordescriptive purposes and this disclosure is not limited to any consoleor device.

Turning briefly to FIG. 1B, computer 102 may include computing unit 104,which may comprise at least one processing unit 106. Processing unit 106may be any type of processing device for executing softwareinstructions, such as for example, a microprocessor device. Computer 102may include a variety of non-transitory computer readable media, such asmemory 108. Memory 108 may include, but is not limited to, random accessmemory (RAM) such as RAM 110, and/or read only memory (ROM), such as ROM112. Memory 108 may include any of: electronically erasable programmableread only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storethe desired information and that can be accessed by computer 102.

The processing unit 106 and the system memory 108 may be connected,either directly or indirectly, through a bus 114 or alternatecommunication structure to one or more peripheral devices. For example,the processing unit 106 or the system memory 108 may be directly orindirectly connected to additional memory storage, such as a hard diskdrive 116, a removable magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive 118,and a flash memory card. The processing unit 106 and the system memory108 also may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more inputdevices 120 and one or more output devices 122. The output devices 122may include, for example, a display device 136, television, printer,stereo, or speakers. In some embodiments one or more display devices maybe incorporated into eyewear. The display devices incorporated intoeyewear may provide feedback to users. Eyewear incorporating one or moredisplay devices also provides for a portable display system. The inputdevices 120 may include, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, a remotecontrol pad, a pointing device (such as a mouse, touchpad, stylus,trackball, or joystick), a scanner, a camera or a microphone. In thisregard, input devices 120 may comprise one or more sensors configured tosense, detect, and/or measure athletic movement from a user, such asuser 124, shown in FIG. 1A.

Looking again to FIG. 1A, image-capturing device 126 and/or sensor 128may be utilized in detecting and/or measuring athletic movements of user124. In one embodiment, data obtained from image-capturing device 126 orsensor 128 may directly detect athletic movements, such that the dataobtained from image-capturing device 126 or sensor 128 is directlycorrelated to a motion parameter. Yet, in other embodiments, data fromimage-capturing device 126 and/or sensor 128 may be utilized incombination, either with each other or with other sensors to detectand/or measure movements. Thus, certain measurements may be determinedfrom combining data obtained from two or more devices. Image-capturingdevice 126 and/or sensor 128 may include or be operatively connected toone or more sensors, including but not limited to: an accelerometer, agyroscope, a location-determining device (e.g., GPS), light sensor,temperature sensor (including ambient temperature and/or bodytemperature), heart rate monitor, image-capturing sensor, moisturesensor and/or combinations thereof. Example uses of illustrative sensors126, 128 are provided below in Section I.C, entitled “IllustrativeSensors.” Computer 102 may also use touch screens or image capturingdevice to determine where a user is pointing to make selections from agraphical user interface. One or more embodiments may utilize one ormore wired and/or wireless technologies, alone or in combination,wherein examples of wireless technologies include Bluetooth®technologies, Bluetooth® low energy technologies, and/or ANTtechnologies.

B. Illustrative Network

Computer 102, computing unit 104, and/or any other electronic devicesmay be directly or indirectly connected to one or more networkinterfaces, such as example interface 130 (shown in FIG. 1B) forcommunicating with a network, such as network 132. In the example ofFIG. 1B, network interface 130, may comprise a network adapter ornetwork interface card (NIC) configured to translate data and controlsignals from the computing unit 104 into network messages according toone or more communication protocols, such as the Transmission ControlProtocol (TCP), the Internet Protocol (IP), and the User DatagramProtocol (UDP). These protocols are well known in the art, and thus willnot be discussed here in more detail. An interface 130 may employ anysuitable connection agent for connecting to a network, including, forexample, a wireless transceiver, a power line adapter, a modem, or anEthernet connection. Network 132, however, may be any one or moreinformation distribution network(s), of any type(s) or topology(s),alone or in combination(s), such as internet(s), intranet(s), cloud(s),LAN(s). Network 132 may be any one or more of cable, fiber, satellite,telephone, cellular, wireless, etc. Networks are well known in the art,and thus will not be discussed here in more detail. Network 132 may bevariously configured such as having one or more wired or wirelesscommunication channels to connect one or more locations (e.g., schools,businesses, homes, consumer dwellings, network resources, etc.), to oneor more remote servers 134, or to other computers, such as similar oridentical to computer 102. Indeed, system 100 may include more than oneinstance of each component (e.g., more than one computer 102, more thanone display 136, etc.).

Regardless of whether computer 102 or other electronic device withinnetwork 132 is portable or at a fixed location, it should be appreciatedthat, in addition to the input, output and storage peripheral devicesspecifically listed above, the computing device may be connected, suchas either directly, or through network 132 to a variety of otherperipheral devices, including some that may perform input, output andstorage functions, or some combination thereof. In certain embodiments,a single device may integrate one or more components shown in FIG. 1A.For example, a single device may include computer 102, image-capturingdevice 126, sensor 128, display 136 and/or additional components. In oneembodiment, sensor device 138 may comprise a mobile terminal having adisplay 136, image-capturing device 126, and one or more sensors 128.Yet, in another embodiment, image-capturing device 126, and/or sensor128 may be peripherals configured to be operatively connected to a mediadevice, including for example, a gaming or media system. Thus, it goesfrom the foregoing that this disclosure is not limited to stationarysystems and methods. Rather, certain embodiments may be carried out by auser 124 in almost any location.

C. Illustrative Sensors

Computer 102 and/or other devices may comprise one or more sensors 126,128 configured to detect and/or monitor at least one fitness parameterof a user 124. Sensors 126 and/or 128 may include, but are not limitedto: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a location-determining device (e.g.,GPS), light sensor, temperature sensor (including ambient temperatureand/or body temperature), sleep pattern sensors, heart rate monitor,image-capturing sensor, moisture sensor and/or combinations thereof.Network 132 and/or computer 102 may be in communication with one or moreelectronic devices of system 100, including for example, display 136, animage capturing device 126 (e.g., one or more video cameras), and sensor128, which may be an infrared (IR) device. In one embodiment sensor 128may comprise an IR transceiver. For example, sensors 126, and/or 128 maytransmit waveforms into the environment, including towards the directionof user 124 and receive a “reflection” or otherwise detect alterationsof those released waveforms. In yet another embodiment, image-capturingdevice 126 and/or sensor 128 may be configured to transmit and/orreceive other wireless signals, such as radar, sonar, and/or audibleinformation. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatsignals corresponding to a multitude of different data spectrums may beutilized in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, sensors126 and/or 128 may detect waveforms emitted from external sources (e.g.,not system 100). For example, sensors 126 and/or 128 may detect heatbeing emitted from user 124 and/or the surrounding environment. Thus,image-capturing device 126 and/or sensor 128 may comprise one or morethermal imaging devices. In one embodiment, image-capturing device 126and/or sensor 128 may comprise an IR device configured to perform rangephenomenology. As a non-limited example, image-capturing devicesconfigured to perform range phenomenology are commercially availablefrom Flir Systems, Inc. of Portland, Oreg. Although image capturingdevice 126 and sensor 128 and display 136 are shown in direct(wirelessly or wired) communication with computer 102, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that any may directly communicate (wirelessly orwired) with network 132.

1. Multi-Purpose Electronic Devices

User 124 may possess, carry, and/or wear any number of electronicdevices, including sensory devices 138, 140, 142, and/or 144. In certainembodiments, one or more devices 138, 140, 142, 144 may not be speciallymanufactured for fitness or athletic purposes. Indeed, aspects of thisdisclosure relate to utilizing data from a plurality of devices, some ofwhich are not fitness devices, to collect, detect, and/or measureathletic data. In one embodiment, device 138 may comprise a portableelectronic device, such as a telephone or digital music player,including an IPOD®, IPAD®, or iPhone®, brand devices available fromApple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. or Zune® or Microsoft® Windows devicesavailable from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash. As known in the art, digitalmedia players can serve as both an output device for a computer (e.g.,outputting music from a sound file or pictures from an image file) and astorage device. In one embodiment, device 138 may be computer 102, yetin other embodiments, computer 102 may be entirely distinct from device138. Regardless of whether device 138 is configured to provide certainoutput, it may serve as an input device for receiving sensoryinformation. Devices 138, 140, 142, and/or 144 may include one or moresensors, including but not limited to: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, alocation-determining device (e.g., GPS), light sensor, temperaturesensor (including ambient temperature and/or body temperature), heartrate monitor, image-capturing sensor, moisture sensor and/orcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, sensors may be passive,such as reflective materials that may be detected by image-capturingdevice 126 and/or sensor 128 (among others). In certain embodiments,sensors 144 may be integrated into apparel, such as athletic clothing.For instance, the user 124 may wear one or more on-body sensors 144 a-b.Sensors 144 may be incorporated into the clothing of user 124 and/orplaced at any desired location of the body of user 124. Sensors 144 maycommunicate (e.g., wirelessly) with computer 102, sensors 128, 138, 140,and 142, and/or camera 126. Examples of interactive gaming apparel aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/286,396, filed Oct. 30,2002, and published as U.S. Pat. Pub, No. 2004/0087366, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for any andall non-limiting purposes. In certain embodiments, passive sensingsurfaces may reflect waveforms, such as infrared light, emitted byimage-capturing device 126 and/or sensor 128. In one embodiment, passivesensors located on user's 124 apparel may comprise generally sphericalstructures made of glass or other transparent or translucent surfaceswhich may reflect waveforms. Different classes of apparel may beutilized in which a given class of apparel has specific sensorsconfigured to be located proximate to a specific portion of the user's124 body when properly worn. For example, golf apparel may include oneor more sensors positioned on the apparel in a first configuration andyet soccer apparel may include one or more sensors positioned on apparelin a second configuration.

Devices 138-144 may communicate with each other, either directly orthrough a network, such as network 132. Communication between one ormore of devices 138-144 may take place via computer 102. For example,two or more of devices 138-144 may be peripherals operatively connectedto bus 114 of computer 102. In yet another embodiment, a first device,such as device 138 may communicate with a first computer, such ascomputer 102 as well as another device, such as device 142, however,device 142 may not be configured to connect to computer 102 but maycommunicate with device 138. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat other configurations are possible.

Some implementations of the example embodiments may alternately oradditionally employ computing devices that are intended to be capable ofa wide variety of functions, such as a desktop or laptop personalcomputer. These computing devices may have any combination of peripheraldevices or additional components as desired. Also, the components shownin FIG. 1B may be included in the server 134, other computers,apparatuses, etc.

2. Illustrative Apparel/Accessory Sensors

In certain embodiments, sensory devices 138, 140, 142 and/or 144 may beformed within or otherwise associated with user's 124 clothing oraccessories, including a watch, armband, wristband, necklace, shirt,shoe, or the like. Examples of shoe-mounted and wrist-worn devices(devices 140 and 142, respectively) are described immediately below,however, these are merely example embodiments and this disclosure shouldnot be limited to such.

i. Shoe-Mounted Device

In certain embodiments, sensory device 140 may comprise footwear whichmay include one or more sensors, including but not limited to: anaccelerometer, location-sensing components, such as GPS, and/or a forcesensor system. FIG. 2A illustrates one example embodiment of a sensorsystem 202. In certain embodiments, system 202 may include a sensorassembly 204. Assembly 204 may comprise one or more sensors, such as forexample, an accelerometer, location-determining components, and/or forcesensors. In the illustrated embodiment, assembly 204 incorporates aplurality of sensors, which may include force-sensitive resistor (FSR)sensors 206. In yet other embodiments, other sensor(s) may be utilized.Port 208 may be positioned within a sole structure 209 of a shoe. Port208 may optionally be provided to be in communication with an electronicmodule 210 (which may be in a housing 211) and a plurality of leads 212connecting the FSR sensors 206 to the port 208. Module 210 may becontained within a well or cavity in a sole structure of a shoe. Theport 208 and the module 210 include complementary interfaces 214, 216for connection and communication. In one or more arrangements,electronic module 210 may be configured to perform sensor dataprocessing (e.g., include one or more processors) and/or to providesensory data (e.g., by including one or more additional sensorstherein). In some arrangements, one or more of the sensors such as FSRsensor 206 may include individual processors for independently (e.g.,separately from other sensors or types of sensors such as anaccelerometer) processing sensor data and sending the processed data toelectronic module 210 for aggregation and/or other processes.

In certain embodiments, at least one force-sensitive resistor 206 shownin FIG. 2A may contain first and second electrodes or electricalcontacts 218, 220 and a force-sensitive resistive material 222 disposedbetween the electrodes 218, 220 to electrically connect the electrodes218, 220 together. When pressure is applied to the force-sensitivematerial 222, the resistivity and/or conductivity of the force-sensitivematerial 222 changes, which changes the electrical potential between theelectrodes 218, 220. The change in resistance can be detected by thesensor system 202 to detect the force applied on the sensor 216. Theforce-sensitive resistive material 222 may change its resistance underpressure in a variety of ways. For example, the force-sensitive material222 may have an internal resistance that decreases when the material iscompressed, similar to the quantum tunneling composites described ingreater detail below. Further compression of this material may furtherdecrease the resistance, allowing quantitative measurements, as well asbinary (on/off) measurements. In some circumstances, this type offorce-sensitive resistive behavior may be described as “volume-basedresistance,” and materials exhibiting this behavior may be referred toas “smart materials.” As another example, the material 222 may changethe resistance by changing the degree of surface-to-surface contact.This can be achieved in several ways, such as by using microprojectionson the surface that raise the surface resistance in an uncompressedcondition, where the surface resistance decreases when themicroprojections are compressed, or by using a flexible electrode thatcan be deformed to create increased surface-to-surface contact withanother electrode. This surface resistance may be the resistance betweenthe material 222 and the electrode 218, 220 222 and/or the surfaceresistance between a conducting layer (e.g., carbon/graphite) and aforce-sensitive layer (e.g., a semiconductor) of a multi-layer material222. The greater the compression, the greater the surface-to-surfacecontact, resulting in lower resistance and enabling quantitativemeasurement. In some circumstances, this type of force-sensitiveresistive behavior may be described as “contact-based resistance.” It isunderstood that the force-sensitive resistive material 222, as definedherein, may be or include a doped or non-doped semiconducting material.

The electrodes 218, 220 of the FSR sensor 216 can be formed of anyconductive material, including metals, carbon/graphite fibers orcomposites, other conductive composites, conductive polymers or polymerscontaining a conductive material, conductive ceramics, dopedsemiconductors, or any other conductive material. The leads 212 can beconnected to the electrodes 218, 220 by any suitable method, includingwelding, soldering, brazing, adhesively joining, fasteners, or any otherintegral or non-integral joining method. Alternately, the electrode 218,220 and associated lead 212 may be formed of a single piece of the samematerial.

FIG. 2C illustrates another example arrangement of a shoe-based sensorsystem 260. The shoe-based sensor system 260 may comprise a plurality offorce sensors such as force sensitive sensors 261 similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIG. 2A. Sensor system 260 may differfrom the arrangement of FIG. 2A in the number and placement of the forcesensitive sensors 261. Using such force sensitive sensors 216 and 261, adevice may be configured to determine a user's center of mass and detectshifts in weight. Such information may be useful in detecting variousactivity event characteristics including an amount of force with which auser's jumps, whether the user has centered his or her weight/mass for aparticular drill, and/or a center of force when a user lands afterjumping. As noted above, the force sensitive sensors 261 may be combinedwith one or more other types of shoe based sensors includingaccelerometers, gyroscopic sensors, thermometers, geographic locationdetermination sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., to determine a proximityof the user's foot with the user's other foot or other portion of theuser's body) and the like and/or combinations thereof. In one example,shoe based sensors may also be used in conjunction with one or moreother sensor systems including wrist-worn sensor devices as described infurther detail below.

ii. Wrist-Worn Device

As shown in FIG. 2B, device 226 (which may resemble or be sensory device142 shown in FIG. 1A) may be configured to be worn by user 124, such asaround a wrist, arm, ankle or the like. Device 226 may monitor athleticmovements of a user, including all-day activity of user 124. In thisregard, device assembly 226 may detect athletic movement during user's124 interactions with computer 102 and/or operate independently ofcomputer 102. For example, in one embodiment, device 226 may be an-allday activity monitor that measures activity regardless of the user'sproximity or interactions with computer 102. Device 226 may communicatedirectly with network 132 and/or other devices, such as devices 138and/or 140. In other embodiments, athletic data obtained from device 226may be utilized in determinations conducted by computer 102, such asdeterminations relating to which exercise programs are presented to user124. In one embodiment, device 226 may also wirelessly interact with amobile device, such as device 138 associated with user 124 or a remotewebsite such as a site dedicated to fitness or health related subjectmatter. At some predetermined time, the user may wish to transfer datafrom the device 226 to another location.

As shown in FIG. 2B, device 226 may include an input mechanism, such asa depressible input button 228 assist in operation of the device 226.The input button 228 may be operably connected to a controller 230and/or any other electronic components, such as one or more of theelements discussed in relation to computer 102 shown in FIG. 1B.Controller 230 may be embedded or otherwise part of housing 232. Housing232 may be formed of one or more materials, including elastomericcomponents and comprise one or more displays, such as display 234. Thedisplay may be considered an illuminable portion of the device 226. Thedisplay 234 may include a series of individual lighting elements orlight members such as LED lights 234 in an exemplary embodiment. The LEDlights may be formed in an array and operably connected to thecontroller 230. Device 226 may include an indicator system 236, whichmay also be considered a portion or component of the overall display234. It is understood that the indicator system 236 can operate andilluminate in conjunction with the display 234 (which may have pixelmember 235) or completely separate from the display 234. The indicatorsystem 236 may also include a plurality of additional lighting elementsor light members 238, which may also take the form of LED lights in anexemplary embodiment. In certain embodiments, indicator system mayprovide a visual indication of goals, such as by illuminating a portionof lighting members 238 to represent accomplishment towards one or moregoals.

A fastening mechanism 240 can be unlatched wherein the device 226 can bepositioned around a wrist of the user 124 and the fastening mechanism240 can be subsequently placed in a latched position. The user can wearthe device 226 at all times if desired. In one embodiment, fasteningmechanism 240 may comprise an interface, including but not limited to aUSB port, for operative interaction with computer 102 and/or devices138, 140.

In certain embodiments, device 226 may comprise a sensor assembly (notshown in FIG. 2B). The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality ofdifferent sensors. In an example embodiment, the sensor assembly maycomprise or permit operative connection to an accelerometer (includingin the form of a multi-axis accelerometer), heart rate sensor,location-determining sensor, such as a GPS sensor, and/or other sensors.Detected movements or parameters from device's 142 sensor(s), mayinclude (or be used to form) a variety of different parameters, metricsor physiological characteristics including but not limited to speed,distance, steps taken, and calories, heart rate, sweat detection,effort, oxygen consumed, and/or oxygen kinetics. Such parameters mayalso be expressed in terms of activity points or currency earned by theuser based on the activity of the user.

II. Activity Classification

Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to classifying user activity,such as with one or more of the sensors of system 100. The activity mayinclude athletic and/or other physical activity of user 124. Detectedmotion parameters may be utilized in one or more determinations relatingto classifying activity. In accordance with a first embodiment, aplurality of samples from one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 126, 128,and/or 138-142) may be obtained during a first time period. In oneembodiment, at least one sensor (e.g. sensor 142) comprises anaccelerometer. The accelerometer may be a multi-axis accelerometer. Inanother embodiment, a plurality of accelerometers may be utilized. Othernon-accelerometer based sensors are also within the scope of thisdisclosure, either in combination with an accelerometer or individually.Indeed, any sensor(s) configurable to detect or measure athleticmovement and/or physiologic properties are within the scope of thisdisclosure. In this regard, data may be obtained and/or derived from aplurality of sensors, including for example, location sensors (e.g.,GPS), heart rate sensors, force sensors, etc. In one embodiment, varioussystems and methods are implemented, at least partially, on a portabledevice. In certain embodiments, the portable device may be a wrist-worndevice (see, e.g., sensor 142).

In one embodiment, detected parameters may be classified into one ormore categories. Example categories may include, but are not limited to:running, walking, exercising, participating in a specific sport oractivity, or combinations thereof.

Further aspects relate to detecting and/or measuring a quantity of stepstaken by a user, such as user 124. In one embodiment, a quantity ofsteps may be detected during a predefined period of time. In anotherembodiment, detecting or measuring a quantity of steps may be utilizedin a classification of motions by user 124 into one or more categories.

Detected motion parameters, such as but not limited to, a quantity ofsteps taken by a user, may be utilized to classify activity. In oneembodiment, the frequency/quantity of steps may be utilized in theclassification of activity, such as either walking or running, forexample. In certain embodiments, if data cannot be categorized as beingwithin a first category (e.g., walking) or group of categories (e.g.,walking and running), a first method may analyze collected data. Forexample, in one embodiment, if detected parameters cannot be classified,then a Euclidean norm equation may be utilized for further analysis. Inone embodiment, an average magnitude vector norm (square root of the sumof the squares) of obtained values may be utilized. In yet anotherembodiment, a different method may analyze at least a portion of thedata following classification within a first category or groups ofcategories. In one embodiment, a step algorithm, such as those disclosedherein, may be utilized.

Further aspects of this disclosure relate to novel systems and methodsthat may be utilized to quantify steps, such as during walking orrunning, of a user. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of anyquantifications or calculations may be conducted on a portable device,including a wrist-worn device (e.g., sensor 142). The novel systems andmethods may, in certain embodiments, provide one or more benefits notobtained in prior art systems and methods, including for example:improved accuracy, decreased latency in reporting the values, improvedclassification of activities based upon step count (for example, properclassification for individuals who do not “bounce” during walking and/orrunning to the same extent as an “average” individual), excludingrepetitive behavior from improperly being classified as a specificactivity, such as for example, running and/or walking, determinations ofintensity and/or speed and utilization of those determinations inactivity classification, improved power consumptions, and/orcombinations of these or other improvements.

Data may be obtained from one or more sensors, including either carriedor worn by the user or those fixed in specific locations. In accordancewith a first embodiment, a plurality of samples from one or more sensorsmay be obtained during a first time period. In one embodiment, at leastone sensor comprises an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be amulti-axis accelerometer. In another embodiment, a plurality ofaccelerometers may be utilized. Other non-accelerometer based sensorsare also within the scope of this disclosure. In one implementation, afixed sampling rate may be utilized, yet in other embodiments, avariable sampling rate may be implemented for at least one of thesensors. In one embodiment, a 25 Hertz sampling rate may be utilized. Inone such embodiment, utilizing a 25 Hz sampling rate to obtainaccelerometer data from a wrist-worn portable device may adequatelyobtain data, such as for example, step counts while obtaining acceptablebattery life as compared to other prior art methodologies. In yetanother embodiment, a 50 Hz sampling rate may be utilized. Other ratesare within the scope of this disclosure. In certain embodiments, thefirst time period may be 1 second. In one embodiment, 64 samples of datamay be obtained during the first time period. In one embodiment, eachsample of data may have multiple parameters, such as motion vectors formultiple axes, however, in other embodiments; each sample of data is asingle value. Certain implementations may provide data comprisingmultiple values as a single value. For example, data from a 3-axisaccelerometer may be provided as a single value.

The collected data may be analyzed or processed, which may occur uponcollection, at predefined intervals, upon occurrence of predefinedcriteria, at a later time, or combinations thereof. In certainimplementations, samples within the first time period may be meancentered and/scaled.

Samples (or data relating to the received samples) from the first timeperiod may be placed in a buffer. Those skilled in the art realize thatone or more buffers may be part of any one or more computer-readablemediums, such as computer-readable mediums 110 and/or 112 within systemmemory 108. One or more systems or methods may be implemented todetermine whether samples from the first time period are placed in afirst buffer. One or more factors may determine whether samples from thefirst time period are placed within a buffer. In one embodiment,accuracy and/or reliability may be considered.

In one embodiment, about 128 samples may be placed in a first buffer. Inanother embodiment, the buffer duration may differ. In certainembodiments, the buffer may be about twice (e.g., 2×) the first timeperiod. For example, if the first time period is 1 second, then thebuffer duration may be 2 seconds in certain embodiments. The buffer maybe a specific time duration (e.g., 2 seconds) regardless of the durationof the first time period. The buffer duration may depend on one or morefactors, including for example but not limited to: battery life, desiredenergy consumption, sampling rate, samples obtained, a desired wait timebefore calculation procedures and/or combinations thereof among otherconsiderations.

In certain implementations, the first buffer may comprise one or moresub-buffers. For example, a 128 sample buffer at a sample rate of 25 Hzmay comprise two 64 sample sub-buffers. In one embodiment, eachsub-buffer is independently analyzed from at least one other sub-buffer(and may be independently buffered from each other sub-buffer in thatparticular buffer).

Further aspects of this disclosure relate to classifying data that maybe discarded before conducting further analysis (such as for example,Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis). In one embodiment, the first buffermay have data indicative of motion or other physical activity, forexample, accelerometer data (alone or in combination with data from oneor more other sensors) may comprise frequencies indicative of detectedactivity. The activity, however, may not be activity comprising steps.In yet other embodiments, steps may be detected, however, the detectedsteps may not signify an activity as to which the device is configuredto detect. For example, a device (or plurality of devices) may beconfigured to detect walking and/or running, but not a shuffling motioncommonly performed in a sporting environment. In this regard, activitywithin several sports may cause the user to swing their arms and/orbounce, however, are not indicative of walking or running. For example,a defensive basketball player often has to shuffle in severaldirections, however, is not walking or running. Aspects of thisdisclosure relate to increasing the accuracy of step counting, andtherefore, may implement processes to remove such movements from stepcounting determinations. These activities, however, may be considered infurther analysis, such as for a determination of activityclassification. In accordance with one embodiment, the first buffer (orany other collection of data) may undergo a classification process. Inone embodiment, the collection of data (i.e., the first buffer which maybe 128 samples over a duration of 5 seconds) may be divided into smallersections (sub-buffers). In one embodiment, the first buffer may besubdivided into 4 equal sub-buffers (which may be, for example, a halfsecond in duration). In one embodiment, each sub-buffer may be abouthalf a second, regardless of the size of the buffer.

Further analysis (and/or other statistical measures) may be made on thesub-buffers, such as for example, calculating an average (e.g., a meanvalue) and/or a deviation (e.g., variation or standard deviation) ofdata within a sub-buffer. Data within a sub-buffer may be compared witha threshold. As used herein, discussions relating to a threshold mayrefer to being lower and/or higher than a predetermined value or rangeof values. In one embodiment, an average value may be compared with afirst threshold. In one implementation, if the data within thesub-buffer does not meet a threshold, then data within an entire buffer(e.g., the first buffer) may not be utilized in further determinationsof step quantification. Further logic may be utilized to determine ifthe sub-buffers have valid data (e.g., data that met the threshold), andif so, that data is utilized in further step count determinations. Incertain embodiments, the data of the first buffer (as opposed to theindividual sub-buffers) is utilized in further determinations.

If the buffer (e.g., the first buffer) meets the threshold (and/orpasses other criteria, including but not limited to those described inthe preceding paragraph), that data may be utilized. In one embodiment,this data may be placed in an analysis buffer. In one embodiment,non-mean centered data obtained during the corresponding duration of theacceptable first buffer may be provided to the analysis buffer, whichmay be a first-in last-out (FILO). The analysis buffer may comprise thesame duration as the first buffer. In one embodiment, the analysisbuffer comprises 5 seconds in duration of data. The buffer may comprise128 samples.

Further aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods forlocating peaks within activity data. In one embodiment, peak locatingsystems and methods may be utilized on data within a buffer, such as theanalysis buffer. Yet in other embodiments, peaks may be located withinany other data. In one embodiment, one or more processes may be utilizedto locate peaks. For example, a first method may be utilized to locatepeaks within a fixed range. Yet in certain embodiments, a second methodmay be utilized to determine identification criteria for locating peaks.In certain implementations, the first, second or additional methods maybe implemented based, at least in part, on battery life. For example,the second method may require additional processing power, andtherefore, may not be utilized upon receiving an indication that thebattery life was decreased below a set point, and/or is declining at arate above a threshold.

One or more systems or methods for determining identification criteriafor locating peaks may estimate frequency of the data points. Forexample, an average (such as for example, a mean value) and/or astandard deviation (or variance) may be obtained. Such data may beutilized to determine “peaks” and “valleys” (e.g., the high and lowvalues within the data), which may be quantified. Such data may be usedin determinations of dynamic thresholds and/or derivative around thepeak.

Further systems and methods may identify peaks (and/or valleys) onthresholds. In this regard, computer-executable instructions of one ormore non-transitory computer-readable mediums may be executed todetermine if a threshold quantity of peaks are located within the range(either fixed or dynamically determined). If no peaks within the rangeare located, that buffer may be emptied (or otherwise not utilize thatdata in step counting determinations). In this regard, the peaks mayrefer to the frequencies may be measured by those with the highestquantity of occurrences and/or highest absolute value.

As would be appreciated in the art there may be situations in which thedata (e.g., frequencies) change, however, the user may still beconducting the same activity, albeit at a different rate or pace. Forexample, if a user is running at 10 mph and slows to 5 mph, he/she maystill running, although at a slower pace. In this situation, however,the frequency detected will be altered. Certain embodiments may utilizelinear combinations to quantify steps. For example, if a previous dataindicated that the user was walking or running the next set of data mayutilize the prior data in any determinations, such as in a linearcombination. In one embodiment, if there are a first quantity ofsections of the buffer duration that are classified as “running” and asecond quantity of section classified as “walking”, systems and methodsmay be utilized to determine whether the user has merely adjusted theirstride or otherwise changed their speed. In one embodiment, at least aportion of the samples within the buffer may be deemed to be within aspecific category regardless of the data for that portion. For example,if samples were collected for 10 intervals and 9 of them were classifiedas running and only a single one was classified as walking, then theentire duration may be deemed running. In one embodiment, an intervalmay only be deemed a different category if it is immediately precededand/or proceeded by data indicative of a consistently differentcategory.

In certain embodiments, an indication that the user is not walking,running or performing another predetermined activity, may ceaseutilizing linear combinations of data in step counting determinations.For example, this may occur when a user has ceased stepping (e.g., nolonger walking or running). Thus, systems and methods may cease anylinear combination processes. In one embodiment, step quantification maybe determined absent linear combinations, such as for example, byidentifying peaks as discussed above.

Certain embodiments relate to selecting a sub-group (or sub-groups) ofpeaks within the frequency data to utilize in the determinations of stepquantification. In one embodiment, a specific peak (or peaks) within thedata (such as for example, data obtained within the first buffer and/ordata obtained during first time frame) may be utilized. This may beconducted based upon determining that linear combination cannot be used.In one embodiment, “bounce peaks,” “arm swing peaks,” and/or other peaksmay be identified. For example, many users “bounce” upon landing theirfeet when running. This bounce may provide frequency peaks within thedata. Other peaks (and/or valleys) may be present within the sensordata. For example, many users often swing their arms in a predictablemanner during running and/or walking to provide “arm swing peaks”. Forexample, arms usually swing along an anterior/posterior axis (e.g.,front to back). This frequency may be about half the frequency of the“bounce peaks”. These peaks, however, may each vary independently, basedupon, for example, the individual, the type of motion, the terrain,and/or a combination thereof. In accordance with one embodiment, systemsand methods may be utilized to select which peaks are to be utilized infurther analysis.

Data within the identified peaks and valleys or otherwise meeting athreshold may be utilized to determine if the quantified steps arerunning or walking. In certain embodiments, the “signature” of thesignals may be utilized in determining whether the user was walking orrunning (or perhaps, conducting another activity). In one embodiment,signals within the range of 0.5-2.4 Hz may be considered as indicativeof walking. In another embodiment, signals within the range of 2.4 to 5Hz may be considered as indicative of running. In one embodiment,changing may be determined based upon the frequency and the sum of thestandard deviation for 2 portions of data. In one embodiment, this(and/or other data) may be examined to determine whether a plurality ofconsecutive values are within a standard deviation of the mean. In oneembodiment, this analysis may be conducted over a plurality of samples.

Further embodiments may utilize data regardless of whether that data isconsidered to be indicative of running or walking. In one embodiment,data may be utilized to systems and methods for determining activityclassification. Systems and methods for determining activityclassification may utilize this (and other) data to categorize thesensed data into an activity. In one embodiment, the first bufferdiscussed above, may be utilized, however, in other embodiments; aseparate “activity” buffer may be utilized that has a different durationthan first buffer. Although, an activity buffer may have a differentduration than a first buffer, there is no requirement that these (orother) buffers are distinct buffers, rather the second buffer may be acollection of several first buffers and or a logical extension of otherbuffers. In this regard, collected data may be stored in a singlelocation but utilized (even simultaneously for two different buffers,processes, and/or analyses).

In one embodiment, an activity buffer may be about 12.8 seconds induration. Yet other durations are within the scope of this disclosure.If the entire (or substantially the entire duration) was consistent,such as for example, 1 second intervals within the duration indicatedthe user was walking or conducting a consistent activity, then a firstdefault process may be utilized to determining activity. In oneembodiment, a Euclidean mean value may be calculated based upon theconsistent data.

FIGS. 3-9 show flowcharts of further embodiments that may be implementedin conjunction with, or independently of, each other as well as anyother embodiments described herein. Generally:

FIG. 3 shows an example flowchart that may be utilized to quantifydetermine activity classification values in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example flowchart that may be utilized to quantify stepsin accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example flowchart that may estimate frequency and set upa frequency search range in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example flowchart that may be utilized to implement aclassify function in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7A shows an example flowchart that may be implemented to determinewhether to utilize arm swing frequency or bounce frequency in accordancewith one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, the systems and methods may beimplemented to select relevant frequency peaks out of the illustrativeFFT output to determine a user's step frequency. In certain embodiments,step frequency may be used in the generation of a step count for theperiod of time represented by the FFT spectrum. As seen in FIG. 7B, thefrequency off the bounce peak is generally twice the frequency of thearm swing peak. The peak magnitude indicates the relative strength ofthe frequency, and may be used as an indicator if a person is stepping.

FIG. 8 shows an example flowchart that may be implemented to classifyactivity and determine speed in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 9 shows an annotated flowchart of an embodiment of measuringactivity of a user that may be implemented in conjunction with, orindependently of, other embodiments described herein. In this regard,aspects of FIG. 10 and the discussion below may overlap, be similar to,or otherwise comprise aspects of one or more embodiments describedabove. Various embodiments of step quantification systems and methodsmay relate to a low power, high fidelity, integer based step counterusing a multi-tier technique. In one embodiment, motion, such asmeasured through an accelerometer, may be loaded into a multi-segmentthreshold based acceleration buffer. One or more system or methods maydetermine various portions of the data to determine if detectedparameters are indicative of a specific action or activity. For example,peaks and/or valleys of accelerometer day may be measured to determineif they are large enough to be considered walking or running. In certainembodiments, utilizing multiple segments of the buffer may be utilizedto ensure quick arm fluctuations are not misinterpreted by a device, andthus utilize limited processing power by conducting analysis of thedata, such as for example, entering a frequency analysis mode. In thisregard, certain embodiments may analyze data using Fourier transforms.Fourier transforms are a computationally expensive activity, thereforein certain embodiments, it may be preferable to not perform them whenits determined to be unnecessary. Therefore, in one embodiment,contiguous segments (which may be 4 contiguous segments) must beassembled that have data (e.g., detected acceleration) above a thresholdto be analyzed (such as, for example, by a frequency determinationalgorithm).

In certain embodiments, a mean acceleration of the buffer may be used tocreate a distinct narrow search range of the data (e.g., frequencies).The search range may relate the mean acceleration to an expectedwalking/running frequency. In one embodiment, if accelerations generatea frequency outside the frequency range that the accelerometry predicts,then certain systems and methods may not count these as steps. This maybe utilized to insure data considered to be random noise (e.g. data withdifferent frequency content but similar acceleration magnitudes) is notcounted as a specific activity (e.g. running).

In certain embodiments, a threshold of the frequency power within theconstrained search range may ensure that the frequency is not simplynoise and that it is large enough to be considered an activity (such as,for example, walking or running).

In yet another embodiment, an overlapping window strategy may beutilized. For example, FFT windows may be analyzed in an overlappingfashion to make sure short term duration steps are counted.

As shown in FIG. 9, one or more systems or methods may confirm that aconsistent number of samples (and/or duration of samples, such as forexample 4 seconds) provide an acceptable range of consistentacceleration. In one embodiment, this may be performed by mean centeringand then determining the mean of the absolute value of acceleration ineach subsection (such as for example, each 1 second subsection of a 4second buffer). Certain embodiments may determine if this absolute valuemean greater than a threshold. If it is not greater than a threshold,the whole buffer (e.g., the entire 4 seconds) may be emptied and notanalyzed until a valid series (e.g., 4 seconds of duration) ofsubsections is found with the correct acceleration magnitude. If this isthe case, the buffer may be considered full and analysis (e.g., aFourier transform) may be performed to determine the frequency contentof the motion, such as for example, arm movement. The accelerationmagnitude of the full buffer (e.g., 4 seconds) may also be used indetermining constrained frequency search.

Correlation of acceleration data may be utilized to predict stepfrequency. In one embodiment, an absolute mean value of acceleration maybe utilized in the correlation for predicting step frequency. A peakfinding algorithm may analyze this region for the expected peak. If thepeak exists and is above a final threshold, steps may be incremented.Otherwise, the data may be considered random noise. Varying amounts ofwindow overlap can be used. In one embodiment, it may be 50% of thewindow, yet in another embodiment it may be based on time duration. Inthe illustrated example of FIG. 10, it may be set to 50% of the 4 secondwindow size. In certain embodiments, window overlap is performed toensure short bursts of movements on the order of half the full windowsize (i.e., 2 seconds) are not thrown out by the acceleration magnitudebuffer. This overlap may be helpful for finding short bursts of activityamong random movement and finding the first portion (e.g., 2 seconds) orlast portion (e.g., a later two second increment) of a longersteady-state activity (e.g., a walk or run). At the end of all thesesteps when a valid frequency has been determined, steps are incrementedby multiplying the frequency by the overlapping window time (e.g. 2seconds).

Aspects of various embodiments may offer one or more advantages and/orbenefits over the prior-known systems and methods. In certainembodiments, false positives are reduced or eliminated for short armmovements using the buffer filling strategy. Also, the constrainedsearch for analysis (e.g. FFT) may assist in selecting the correctfrequency relating the vertical bounce rather than the arm swing suchthat the correct walking frequency is obtained for two feet steps. Infurther embodiments, the overlapping of windows may allow for improveddetection of short bursts of step activities. Finally, the frequencyanalysis may be performed on one combined channel of sensors so that armrotation does not throw off detection and measurement of sensor outputs.Furthermore, by combining accelerometer channels, less analysis (e.g.fourier transform frequency analyses) may be performed. This may improvebattery life.

III. Action Identification and Detection Using Templates

As described herein, activity classification may be performed byidentifying various events and actions represented within data receivedfrom any number and type of sensors. Accordingly, activity tracking andmonitoring may include determining whether one or more expected or knownactions within an activity type has been performed and evaluatingmetrics associated with those actions. In one example, actions maycorrespond to a series of one or more low-level or granular events andmay be detected using predefined action templates. Action templates maycorrespond to any desired level of granularity. In some examples, anevent may correspond to acceleration of a user's foot in a particulardirection or detection of foot contact or detection of foot launch(e.g., lifting a user's foot into the air). In other examples, an actionmay correspond to a group of such events, such as detecting that a userhas taken a step to the right followed by a step to the left ordetecting that a user has jumped while flicking his or her wrist. Usingaction templates, a system may automatically detect when a user hasperformed a particular activity or a particular motion expected duringthat activity. For example, if a user is playing basketball, detectingthat the user has jumped while flicking his or her wrist may indicatethat the user has taken a shot. In another example, detecting that auser has moved both feet outward while jumping followed by moving bothfeet inward while jumping may register as a user performing onerepetition of a jumping jack exercise. A variety of other templates maybe defined as desired to identify particular types of activities,actions or movements within types of activities.

Activity templates may be defined manually, semi-automatically and/orautomatically. For example, a user may manually define the types ofsensor events corresponding to an action, the ways in which the sensorevents should be combined/organized, timing between the sensor eventsand the like. Alternatively or additionally, action templates may beautomatically defined based on user performance of the action. Thesystem may be configured to record a user's performance of an action andautomatically build a template based on the types of sensor events,timing of the sensor events and other combinations of the sensor eventsdetected during the performance of the action. The user may indicatethat an action was performed within a time window and have the systemidentify the corresponding events and constraints. In yet otherexamples, a system may automatically identify actions based on recurringpatterns in an event stream without user specification of the action orthat the action has been performed.

Events may be defined/represented in a variety of manners and may relateto a multiple types of information. In one example, an event maycorrespond to multi-element tuples comprised of a label (e.g., an eventtype) and/or measurements/values. In a particular example, an event maycorrespond to a syntax such as: <person XYZ's heart rate, 4:34:17.623 PMGMT, 86 beats per minute>. Other example events may include: <ground airtemperature, 4:34:17.623 PM GMT, 45° 31′ 25″ N, 122° 40′ 30″ W, 67° F.>and/or <left heel pressure, 4:34:17.623 PM GMT, 400.23 kPa>. However,events may adhere to other varying syntaxes (using either a predefinedstructure or mark-up labels) and include additional or alternativeinformation as desired or needed. Events may be used to convey multipletypes of information including physical environment characteristics(e.g., humidity, temperature, air pressure), social environmentcharacteristics (e.g., what people are saying), user physiologycharacteristics (e.g., movement, heart rate, blood lactate level),and/or user behavior (e.g., cell phone usage, amount of active time,amount of inactive time, etc.). In one example, event streams mayinclude simple events such as threshold value crossings, sums, and localextrema as well as computationally more complex events, including localextrema in the derivative values of composite readings values andsemantically richer events such as “steps” (which may involve a dynamicthreshold applied to combinations of pressure sensors). Events mayinclude a variety of information including a reference timestamp of whenthe event occurred (or was computed), a timestamp indicating when theevent generation process was initiated (which may apply to eventstriggered by other events (e.g., complex events triggered by otherevents)), and an event value (measurement). Each of these pieces ofevent information may be used to help score or evaluate the event todetermine whether the event corresponds to a match with a template. Insome arrangements, an event defined in a first template may correspondto (e.g., require) matching of a second template.

According to one or more arrangements, an activity processing device orsystem configured to identify actions performed by the user may alsoinclude one or more sensors. Accordingly, events may be detected by theactivity processing device itself based on various sensor data. Forexample, the activity processing device may be used to track a user'sarm motion if the device is hand-held or worn on the user's arm.Additionally or alternatively, the activity processing device mayprovide options to the user to manually mark or generate events. Forexample, the user may be able to manually enter when he or she liftedtheir right foot, run a predefined distance, squatted and the likeand/or combinations thereof. In a particular example, the user may tapor otherwise interact with the activity processing device to generateand mark such events.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example system diagram in which an activityprocessing device or system interfaces with a sensor system to detectuser actions. The sensor system may be physically separate and distinctfrom the activity processing device and may communicate with theactivity processing device through wired or wireless communication. Inone or more examples, the sensor system may correspond to a singlesensor, a group of sensors, single type of sensor, multiple differenttypes of sensors and the like and with or without processingcapabilities. In a particular example, the sensor system may correspondto sensor system 200 or 260 of FIGS. 2A and 2C, respectively, and/or asensor assembly of device 226 of FIG. 2B. Additionally, as illustrated,the sensor system may be configured to perform initial processing of rawsensor data to detect various granular events. The sensor system mayalso manage data subscriptions that are used at any particular time, asis further described in detail herein.

The events may then be passed to the activity processing system wherethe events are compared to various templates to determine whether anaction has been performed. Moreover, the activity processing system maybe configured to perform post-match processing which may includedetermining various activity metrics such as repetitions, air-time,speed, distance and the like. The activity processing system maycorrespond to any number or type of computing system including device138 or device 226, gaming systems, servers, cloud systems, mobiledevices (e.g., smartphones, cell phones, etc.), desktop computingdevices, laptop computing devices, tablet computers, wearable activitymonitoring devices and the like. Additionally or alternatively, theactivity processing system and the sensor system may correspond toand/or be integrated in the same device.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example process by which events may be detectedand compared to predefined action templates to identify user motionsduring physical activity. In step 1000, an activity processing device orsystem may determine a type of physical activity to be performed by theuser. The physical activity may be a type of sport, a drill or test, anexercise, a physical activity game and the like. Different types ofphysical activity may correspond to different sets, arrangements,categories and/or types of physical movements and actions. In oneexample, the type of physical activity may be determined based onreceiving a user selection of the physical activity type. Alternativelyor additionally, the system may determine the type of physical activityby comparing detected activity signals (e.g., received from sensors)with predefined rules corresponding to different types of physicalactivity as described herein. The activity signals may be received fromvarious sensors including wrist-borne devices, head-worn devices,chest-worn devices and/or shoe-borne devices. In some examples, a firstset of predefined rules for basketball may include a certain combinationand type of wrist and arm actions combined with detecting a userwalking. A second set of predefined rules may be defined for joggingbased on a first threshold pace of foot contact events (e.g., above thefirst threshold pace). Yet another set of predefined rules may bedefined for walking based on a second threshold pace of foot contactevents (e.g., below the second threshold pace). In yet other examples, acombination of user selection and automated detection may be used suchthat a user may select a broad category of activity such as running andthe automated detection may be used to determine a sub-category ofactivity such as jogging or sprinting.

In step 1005, the system may select one or more predefined actiontemplates and sensor subscriptions based on the determined type ofactivity to be or being performed by the user. Action templates may beused to identify motions or actions that a user may perform during thedetermined type of activity. Accordingly, different sets of one or moreaction templates may be defined for different types of activities. Forexample, a first set of action templates defined for basketball mayinclude dribbling, walking, running, backpedalling, side shuffling,pivoting, jumping, shooting a basketball, boxing out, performing a slamdunk, sprinting and the like. A second set of action templates definedfor soccer may include kicking a ball to make a shot, dribbling,stealing, heading the ball and the like. In one example, the number oftemplates may range from 1-100. In some examples, a particular type ofactivity may include 50-60 templates. In still other examples, a type ofactivity may correspond to 20-30 templates. Any number of templates maybe defined as appropriate for a type of activity. In some examples, thenumber of templates may be selected based on an amount of battery lifeavailable, a maximum battery capacity, a processing speed of theactivity processing device or system, a latency between a sensor systemand the activity processing device or system and the like and/orcombinations thereof. Accordingly, if the activity processing system ordevice has low available battery life, the system or device may select anumber of templates that allows the device or system to last for apredefined amount of time. In other examples, the number of templatesselected may be limited by the processing speed of the activityprocessing device or system. This limitation may insure that the deviceor system is able to process data against all of the selected templatesat a given rate. In still other examples, the templates may be manuallyselected by a user rather than being selected by the system.

According to some aspects, templates may be prioritized such that highpriority templates are first used to match with events while lowerpriority templates may be used if the events do not match any of thehigh priority templates. The use of a catch-all template may allow usersto determine metrics associated with movement or other events that mightnot be matched with a predefined action template. The data falling intothe catch-all template may also be aggregated for use in improvingsensor readings or metric calculations in one or more devices. Prioritymay be defined by a likelihood of a corresponding action being performedduring a type of activity, by a likelihood of a corresponding actionbeing performed by the specific user, based on a subjective level ofimportance of the action, based on user specification (e.g., manualprioritizations), popularity of an action (e.g., occurrence of theaction) within a community of users and the like and/or combinationsthereof.

In step 1010, the activity processing system may notify the sensorsystem of the selected subscription(s). The notification to the sensorsystem may be configured to cause the sensor system to configuremonitoring functions to receive sensor data from the sensors specifiedin the subscription while not monitoring or receiving sensor data fromsensors not specified in the subscription. Additionally oralternatively, the notification may cause the sensor system to processsensor data into one or more events based on subscription parameters andreturn only those events that match the specified parameter. In yetother examples, the notification may cause the sensor system toconfigure what data and/or events are to be returned to the activityprocessing system.

According to some arrangements, sensor subscriptions are configured toidentify the types of information to be provided by a sensor system. Insome examples, the sensor system may be configured to select the sensorsto monitor for data based on the subscriptions. For example, if a sensorsystem includes 4 force sensitive resistive sensors and anaccelerometer, the subscriptions may specify which of those 5 sensors (7if the accelerometer includes 3 axes of sensing) are monitored forsensor data. In another example, subscriptions may specify monitoring,by the sensor system, sensor data from a right shoe accelerometer butnot a left shoe accelerometer. In yet another example, a subscriptionmay include monitoring data from a wrist-worn sensor but not a heartrate sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor subscriptions maycontrol the sensor system to turn on or off certain sensors so as not toconserve power. Thus, if sensor data from an accelerometer is notrequired or subscribed to, the accelerometer may be turned off.

Subscriptions may also control types and levels of processing performedby the sensor system. For example, a subscription may specify sensorthresholds to adjust the sensitivity of a sensor system's eventdetection process. Thus, in some activities, the sensor system may beinstructed to identify events corresponding to all force peaks above afirst specified threshold. For other activities, the sensor system maybe instructed to identify events for all force peaks above a secondspecified threshold. Still further, subscriptions may be used to controlthe types and/or amounts of data and events communicated to the activityprocessing system. Accordingly, irrespective of which sensors areactive, what sensors are being monitored and/or what events aregenerated/detected, the sensor system may also independently controlwhat data (e.g., raw sensor data or events) are transmitted to theactivity processing system. Thus, while a sensor system may detect allevents corresponding to acceleration along the z-axis higher than afirst specified threshold, the subscription may request transmission ofonly z-axis acceleration events higher than a second specified thresholdhigher than the first specified threshold. Use of different sensorsubscriptions may help a sensor system to conserve power and/orcommunication bandwidth if some sensor readings are not needed for aparticular activity. Accordingly, different activities and activitytypes may use different sensor subscriptions.

Example subscriptions may include force sensitive resistance data fromone or more force sensitive resistors, acceleration data from one ormore accelerometers, summation information over multiple sensors (e.g.,summation of acceleration data, summation of force resistance data overone or more sensors, etc.), pressure maps, mean centered data, gravityadjusted sensor data, force sensitive resistance derivatives,acceleration derivatives, environmental sensor data (e.g., temperature,weather, terrain, etc.), social information (e.g., identification ofother users joining in the activity or within a predefined proximity,data regarding other user's activity performances, etc.) and the likeand/or combinations thereof. In some examples, a single subscription maycorrespond to a summation of data from multiple sensors. For example, ifa template calls for a shift in force to the forefoot region of a user'sfoot, a single subscription may correspond to a summation of forces ofall sensors in the forefoot region. Alternatively, force data for eachof the forefoot force sensors may correspond to a distinct subscription.

In accordance with the specified subscriptions, in step 1015, theactivity processing system may receive event information from the sensorsystem. In one example, the event information may be received from awrist worn device such as device 226, a shoe based sensor such as shoesensor system 202 and/or a sensor resident in the activity processingsystem itself. Additionally, the event information may be generated andfiltered by a sensor system based on subscription parameters. Thevarious sensor systems may be configured to pre-process raw sensorsignal data to identify predefined events in order to reduce thefrequency with which the sensor systems and/or activity processingsystem transmit and receive data. Accordingly, the activity processingsystem might only receive sensor data when events are detected and/orfor events that match subscription parameters. Alternatively, raw sensorsignals may be received by and processed by the activity processingsystem to identify events, if desired.

Actions may be defined based on a combination or set of sensor events.For example, running may correspond to a series and pace of foot contacttimes and launch times. In another example, kicking a ball may bedefined by a foot launch event, followed by foot acceleration along aspecified axis and a subsequent slowing or change in acceleration (e.g.,when the user's foot strikes the ball). Accordingly, the sensor systemsmay be configured to identify individual events based on predefinedrules as described herein while the activity processing system may beconfigured to identify user actions corresponding to combinations of oneor more individual events detected by the sensor system.

In step 1020, the system may further synchronize the sensor events toaccount for deviations in sensor clocks and transmission times. Inparticular arrangements, the system may measure the requiredtransmission time between each of the sensors and the activityprocessing system and subsequently use the measured transmission time toadjust a time associated with each of the detected sensor events.Additionally or alternatively, synchronization may include temporallysorting the events received. In some examples, event data might not bereceived in an order in which the events were detected. Accordingly, thesystem may pre-process the event data to order the events according tothe time at which they were detected.

Optionally, in step 1025, the system may evaluate the event informationreceived and apply one or more filters to remove various types ofevents. According to some arrangements, disqualifying events or rulesmay be defined such that events are filtered from the event stream to beprocessed in identifying user performed actions. In one example, thesystem may receive notification of two feet launch events from a shoesensor without an intervening foot contact event. Such an occurrencewould indicate that the user had jumped twice without landing after thefirst jump. In such an example, the system may disqualify or remove atleast the second foot launch event. Additionally, the system may alsodisqualify the first foot launch event. In another example, the systemmay filter out events based on an amount of time between the event timestamps. Accordingly, if an amount of time between a foot launch event(e.g., detected by a first shoe sensor) and a foot contact or strikeevent (e.g., detected by the same first shoe sensor) is above aspecified threshold, the foot launch and foot strike events may befiltered out of the event data. The specified threshold may be set to amaximum possible amount of air time that is humanly possible. In stillanother example, if a user is performing a jumping jack exercise, thesystem might not register (e.g., identify) that a repetition has beenperformed if an amount of time between the foot contact time and thefoot launch time is too great. Filters may include one or more filtertemplates comprising arrangements of one or more events. Upon matchingthe filter templates, the matching events may be removed from the eventstream (e.g., buffer) and/or processing.

As discussed herein, filters may also be used to remove certain eventsthat are not applicable to the determined type of activity. For example,if the determined type of activity is running, foot pitch measurementsor head movements might not be relevant to determining metrics for therunning activity. Accordingly, such sensor events may be filtered outfrom the events used to evaluate user actions. Filters may be selecteddepending on the type of activity to be performed by the user.Accordingly, the types of filters applied to event information maydiffer depending on the type of activity to be performed. For example,while head movements might not be relevant to determining metrics oractions for running, head movements may be relevant and used to detectjuke movements in basketball. In some examples, information regardingthe selected filters may be sent to the one or more sensor systems beingused such that the sensor systems do not detect or filter out sensorevents in accordance with the filters. Accordingly, the activityprocessing system might not need to perform filtering functions if thesensor systems have previously performed such processing.

In still other examples, filtering may be performed based on resultsfrom multiple sensors. Thus, if multiple sensors are used, sensor eventsmay be filtered out if data from the other sensors do not providesufficient confirmation or corroboration of the event or action. In anexample, an accelerometer of a shoe may register a foot launch eventbased on acceleration detected along a z-axis. However, if a pressuresensor of the shoe indicates that a pressure differential at the timethe foot launch event was detected is below a specified threshold (e.g.,a pressure differential threshold corresponding to a foot launch event),an activity processing system may filter out the foot launch eventreceived from the accelerometer. In one or more arrangements, a of thesensors configured to detect a particular type of event (e.g., footcontact, foot launch, wrist flick, head tilt, change in pressureprofile, etc.) may be required to detect the event for the event data tobe retained. If less than a majority of the configured sensors detectsthe event, the event data from those sensors that detected the event maybe filtered out.

In other arrangements, certain sensors may be given more weight orconfidence than other sensors. Accordingly, the amount of corroborationneeded for each sensor may differ depending on the weight or reliabilityof the sensor. For example, a shoe pressure sensor may be more reliablein detecting foot launch and foot strike events. Accordingly, even ifone or more other sensors does not register a foot launch or foot strikeevent, the foot launch or foot strike event detected by the pressuresensor might not be filtered. In another example, if the other sensorsdetected a foot launch or foot strike event, but the event is notdetected by the shoe pressure sensor, the event may be filtered outregardless of the number of other sensors that detected the event. Thereliability or confidence in a particular sensor or set of sensors mayvary depending on the type of event. Accordingly, while the shoepressure sensor may be deemed more reliable in detecting foot launch orfoot strike events, the shoe pressure sensor might not be afforded thesame amount of confidence in detecting foot movement in longitudinal andlateral directions. Thus, different filtering rules may be applieddepending on type of event as well as type of sensor (e.g., location atwhich the sensor is located, sensor technology and the like). The abovefiltering rules, parameters, weights and other factors may be specifiedwithin a filter template or separately from the templates. Accordingly,in some cases, each filter template may weigh sensor confidencedifferently.

As noted, the above filtering process of step 1025 is optional and mightnot performed or used in certain configurations or systems. Other typesof filtering or event exclusion processing may be used instead of or inaddition to the filtering described in step 1025. An example ofexclusion event processing is described in further detail herein.

In step 1030, the activity processing system may determine whether thereceived events match one or more predefined action templates. In oneexample, predefined action templates may be compared to a continuousstream of events received from the sensor system. Alternatively oradditionally, the predefined action templates may be compared to asliding window of event data. For example, each set of X samples may becompared to the predefined action templates. The set of X samples maythen be incremented by a predefined number of samples (e.g., 1 sample, 2samples, 5 samples, 100 samples, etc.) and the new set of X samples maythen be compared to the templates. Samples may be defined by time,events, data units and the like. In an example, the sample window may be2 seconds. A template matching process is described in further detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12.

Some activities may include multiple templates. Accordingly, in somearrangements, a single combination of detected events may match multipletemplates. Thus, in step 1035, the system may determine whether multipletemplates were matched in the matching process of step 1030. If multipletemplates are matched, the system may select one of the matchingtemplates to determine the action corresponding to the combination ofevents in step 1040. Selecting one of the multiple matching templatesmay be performed according to various algorithms and methods. In oneexample, selection may include determining a strongest or highest levelof match between the combination of events and each of the templates. Inanother example, selection may include determining a likelihood of eachof the actions corresponding to the matching templates given one or moreother events or actions detected within a predefined temporal proximity.For instance, if a wrist snapping event and a foot strike event aredetermined to match both a basketball shooting action and a basketballdribbling action, selection of one of the two actions may be based onsurrounding actions or events. In a particular example, if the wristsnapping and foot strike events are preceded by a jumping action (e.g.,detecting foot launch events of both feet at around the same time), thesystem may select the basketball shooting action as the matched templatesince a user is unlikely to jump while dribbling. Various otherselection methodologies may be used.

If the combination of events does not match multiple templates or uponselecting a best matching template, the activity processing system maythen register an action (or detection of an action) corresponding to thematching template in step 1045. For example, each template may beassociated with a particular action such as slam dunking, juking,shooting a basketball, sprinting, jogging, walking, performing a lateralhop, kicking a ball, heading a ball, throwing a ball, and the like.Registering an action may include storing the action in a database orlog of actions performed by the user, conveying a message to the usernotifying them of the action performed, transmitting the detection ofthe action to one or more devices including remote activity trackingsystems and the like and/or combinations thereof.

Furthermore, in some examples, the activity processing system mayevaluate a quality of the registered action in step 1050. The quality ofthe action may be determined in a variety of ways including bydetermining the strength of the match between the combination of eventsand the action template and/or determining whether optional states in atemplate have been matched. For example, optional or bonus states mightnot be required to identify the combination of events as a match with atemplate, but matching those optional or bonus events may indicate ahigher quality of performance. A quality scale may be defined based on alinear or non-linear relationship with the strength of the match. In oneexample, if a user's window of events matches within 7-10% of a templatehaving a maximum tolerance of 10%, the quality of the user's action maybe defined as “low.” However, if the user's level of match is within3-6.99%, the user's action quality may be defined as “medium,” while alevel of match within 0-2.99% may be defined as “high.” In someexamples, a further level of quality such as “perfect” may be definedfor 0% deviation from a corresponding template. Quality may be denotedby a numeric value (e.g., scale of 1-10), letter grade (e.g., A, B, C,D, etc.), color (e.g., red, yellow, green), sound (e.g., boos, mildcheers, wild cheering), level or type of haptic feedback (strongerbuzzing indicates lower quality or vice versa) and the like.

In some examples, quality analysis may include weighing certain portionsof the template higher or lower than other portions of the template.Accordingly, a user who deviates during a more highly valued portion ofthe template may be assigned a lower action quality score than a userwho deviates during less valued portions of the template. In aparticular example, a kicking action in soccer may comprise a foot liftevent, a foot forward event and a ball strike event. In this example,the ball strike event may be more highly valued since it may determine aforce with which the ball was struck. Accordingly, if a first usermatches the foot lift event and the foot forward event perfectly butdeviates from the ball strike event by 25%, the quality of the user'sball kicking action may be “medium.” In contrast, if a second usermatches the foot lift event and the foot forward event with 90% accuracy(deviation of 10%) but matches the ball strike event perfectly, thequality of the second user's ball kicking action may be “high.” Variousother parameters of an action or template may also be weighted. Forexample, timing may be given higher weight for some events.

In step 1055, the activity processing system may determine metricsassociated with the performance of the action. For example, the metricmay be a count of the number of actions of a particular type performed,a distance, pace, force, height, speed and the like of the action,streaks (e.g., a number of consecutive actions of the same typeperformed) and the like and/or combinations thereof. Such metrics may bedetermined from the action information and event data correspondingthereto according to various algorithms and formulas.

In step 1060, the activity processing may optionally provide coaching tothe user. Coaching may include instructions or recommendations forimproving the user's performance of the detected action. The user mightonly receive coaching if the quality of the user's performance of theaction is below a specified threshold. Coaching may be event-specific orevent type-specific. For example, coaching may be generated based onindividual events or groups of events where the user did not match thetemplate to specified level (e.g., 95%, 90%, 85%, 70%, etc.) or theuser's performance did not match optional or bonus events. Thus, thesystem may recommend improving the one or more events having aninsufficient match level with the template and/or performing theoptional or bonus events. For example, if the detected actioncorresponds to kicking a soccer ball and the user's foot forwardacceleration event is a predefined percentage below an expected level,the system may recommend that the user increase his foot forwardacceleration by the predefined percentage. In another example, if thedetected action corresponds to performing squats, and a heel weightevent indicates that amount of weight shifted to the user's heel isbelow an expected value, the system may recommend shifting more weightto the user's heel. In the same example, if an amount of weight shiftedto the user's heel is above an expected value, the system may recommendreducing the amount of weight shifted. Coaching may also be generatedbased on other parameters and factors including weather, social factors(e.g., number of people performing same types of activity or actions oran average level of match of others performing the same or a similaraction or activity), terrain and the like. Various other recommendationsand instructions may be provided.

In some embodiments, different templates may be used depending on adominant hand or foot of the user. For example, if a user's left foot ishis dominant foot, then a jumping, lunging or other action template thatis configured to detect the corresponding actions based on left footsensor readings. For example, the left-foot based templates may givepreference to sensor readings from a left shoe sensor. In anotherexample, left-foot based templates may define a step or other event oraction based on a triggering event by the left foot rather than theright foot. Templates may further be specific to a user, to a particulartype of terrain, a time of day, a type of weather condition and thelike.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example template matching process that may beused to determine whether detected events match an action template. Theprocess may be performed for each of multiple action templates as neededor desired. In step 1100, an activity processing system may receivemultiple events from one or more event sources and store those events byevent type and time stamp. The event sources may include internalsensors, user input, external sensors and the like. In step 1105, thesystem may determine whether events are stored, received or otherwiseavailable for template matching analysis. If not, the system may proceedto step 1160, where, if more events are expected, the system will returnto step 1100. Otherwise, the system may end the process. In someinstances, the system may determine if a sufficient amount of events isstored or has been received in step 1105. In an example embodiment, asufficient amount may correspond to a guiding threshold amount of datafor analysis. In another example embodiment, a sufficient amount maycorrespond to having at least a required or threshold amount of data foranalysis. In either of these or other embodiments, a sufficient amountmay be defined relative to or based on a number of events in a template.If the system determines that events are stored (or that a sufficient orrequisite amount of events are stored or have been received), the systemmay subsequently select a template to evaluate against the receivedevents in step 1110. Templates may be selected based on a type ofactivity being performed by the user and/or a priority of templates.

In step 1115, the system may identify sets of events that may match thestates defined in the template. In some examples, the activityprocessing system may identify all sets of events that match the statesamong all available event data. In other examples, the activityprocessing system might only identify sets of events within a predefinedamount of time (e.g., last 5 minutes, last 2 minutes, last 30 seconds,last 5 seconds, etc.). A template state may refer to required orpreferred event types defined in the template. In one example, thereceived events and the template states may be matched based on aspecified event type. The received events and the template states mayboth include labels specifying an event type. Accordingly, theseparameters may be compared to determine whether an event type matchexists.

In step 1120, the system may select one of the sets of events to analyzefor template matching. The system may select one of the sets of eventsbased on selected parameters, such as a recency or age of the newest oroldest event in the set, types of events, combinations of event ages(e.g., oldest event of a first type and a newest event of a secondtype), randomly, or based on other rules. In step 1125, the system maydetermine whether the set of events satisfies a requisite number (e.g.,25%, 50%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 100%) of template constraints for each of thetemplate states. Constraints may be similar to the filters describedwith respect to FIG. 10, but may differ in the scope of how they areapplied. For example, constraints may be defined within a template stateand might only apply when evaluating that template state. in contrast, afilter may be applied independently of other template state to removespecified candidate events from consideration. Various types ofconstraints may be defined, including time constraints, valueconstraints, duration constraints and the like and/or combinationsthereof. Additionally, constraints may be categorized into relativeconstraints and non-relative constraints. Relative constraints mayrelate to (e.g., define one or more required, preferred or desiredrelationship with) other template states, events matching other templatestates, aggregate statistics about prior events, and the like.Non-relative constraints may be evaluated solely based on the singleevent. For example, a non-relative constraint may define a required,recommended and/or preferred characteristic of a corresponding templatestate that is independent of other template states. A foot contacttemplate state may include a constraint that a foot contact event has aduration of at least 100 milliseconds. Accordingly, foot contactcandidate events may match the state by having a duration of at least100 milliseconds without consideration of other template states in thetemplate.

As noted, template states and constraints may refer to statistics aboutprior events, prior activity performances, statistics or metrics formatched events/states and the like. For example, a template stateconstraint may require that a foot contact duration be within 10% of anaverage of foot contact duration of one or more previously matched footcontact events for a particular template or activity type. Usingpreviously collected metrics and statistics, the activity processingsystem may thus provide dynamic calibration and/or filtering based on auser's previous performance. Since different users may exhibit differentgaits and other activity performance characteristics, the user'sstatistics and metrics may be more accurate in calibrating event andaction detection to the individual user.

Time constraints may include strict, loose and relative orderingrequirements for a particular event. For example, strict temporalordering may include requiring that event B occur between events A andC. Loose temporal ordering may include a requirement that event A and Boccur within 100 milliseconds of each other while relative temporalordering may include a requirement that event B occur mid-way betweenthe occurrences of events A and C, plus or minus 10% of the durationbetween the occurrences of events A and C.

Value constraints may include requirements for a signal or event value(e.g., a metric such as height, distance, pressure, acceleration). Forexample, a foot contact event may be required to have a threshold amountof force or a threshold amount of acceleration in a particulardirection. Accordingly, for a foot contact event to match the template,the event may be required to exhibit the threshold acceleration alongthe x-axis in one example or the threshold amount of force in anotherexample. Other types of event values may also be used as needed ordesired. Event duration, on the other hand, may include durationrequirements that define a maximum or minimum amount of time allowed orrequired for a particular event. Accordingly, an event may be requiredto have a minimum duration or be below a maximum duration to qualify asan event match with the template.

One example of an action template may include specified event types,such as one or more from among examples including: the last time thetemplate successfully matched a set of events; left foot launch; leftfoot strike; right foot launch; right foot strike; local maxima in thevertical acceleration measurements of the left foot; and/or local maximain the vertical acceleration measurements of the right foot. The actiontemplate may further include specified constraints, such as one or morefrom among examples including: there should be a left foot launch; thereshould be a right foot launch; there should be a left foot strike; thereshould be a right foot strike; left and right foot launches should occurbefore the left and right foot strikes; there should be no additionalleft or right foot launches or strikes, and the like, etc. The aboveevent types and constraints may be combined in various manners to definean action template corresponding to a two foot jump, a single foot jumpand/or other user actions. Accordingly, in an example, not only mightthe set of events be required to match the specified event types of thetemplate states, but they may also be required to meet the definedconstraints.

If the set of events does meet a specified number (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%,90%, 100%) of the template constraints, the system may record the set ofevents as a possible template match in step 1130. After recording thepossible template match or upon determining that the set of events doesnot meet the specified number of template constraints, the system maydetermine, in step 1135, whether there are more sets of events (from theidentified sets of events) to analyze. If so, the system may return tostep 1120 to pick an un-analyzed set of events to process. If, however,no other sets of events need to be analyzed, the system may proceed tostep 1140, where the system determines whether possible template matcheswere found. For example, the system may determine whether templatematches were recorded in step 1130. If not, the system may proceed tostep 1160 to determine whether more events are expected for processing.

If, on the other hand, possible template matches are found (e.g., matchidentified and recorded), the system may select a best match in step1145. Selecting a best match may be performed in various mannersincluding those described herein. Once the best match is selected, thesystem may process the matching events in step 1150 to determine one ormore additional details of the user's action. For example, the matchingevents may be processed for jump height, speed, pace and the like and/orcombinations thereof. In step 1155, the system may present the matchingtemplate (e.g., display that the user has performed an actioncorresponding to the template) and/or the additional details. The systemmay then determine whether additional events are expected for processingin step 1160.

In one or more arrangements, the set of events may be analyzedincrementally, event by event. When an event is identified, constraintsrelated to the template state that that event is being considered formatching purposes are analyzed. If the constraints are not satisfied,the incremental search is back-tracked (to varying degrees depending onwhich constraints are not satisfied) and new events are identified. Forexample, failure to meet/match optional constraints might not cause thesystem to back-track the search. When the incremental search has foundan entire set of events that meet all the template constraints, thematch is scored and recorded. According to one or more embodiments, thebest match (by score) is stored so that when there are no additionalevents to analyze, the best match information is already selected.

Combinations of events may be explored according to a tree structuredefined by the relative temporal occurrence scoring parameters of eachstate in the template. Accordingly, when a particular event occurrenceindicates that no subsequent template states can be matched, or that theno other event occurrences for a particular state will match, the searchmay be stopped at that point in the tree. Moreover, a new set of eventoccurrences may then be explored. This approach may enable the templatematching process to more quickly and more efficiently discardnon-matching events or a non-matching set of events.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example template matching process that maybe repeated for each of one or more templates (e.g., step 1005 of FIG.10). For example, upon receiving one or more events (e.g., a stream,group, set, etc.), an activity processing system may sort the events instep 1200. As an example, the events may be temporally sorted. Inanother example, the events may be stored based on an order in which theevents were detected as described with respect to step 1020 of FIG. 10.Once sorted, the system may, in step 1205, select a state defined in thetemplate to initially search for in the sorted events. The templatestate may be variously selected, such as based on one or more factorsand considerations. As examples, the template state may correspond to(i) the first or initial event of a particular action represented by atemplate or (ii) the ending event of that action. In other examples, thetemplate state may correspond to a highest priority state within thetemplate. In yet other examples, the template state may correspond toany of the states in the template.

In step 1210, the activity processing system may identify candidateevents matching the event type of the selected template state. In oneexample, events may be sorted (as described in step 1200) by storing ororganizing the events according to categories of event types. In somearrangements, generated events might not be sorted and instead, may bestored randomly upon generation and/or receipt. Additionally oralternatively, events may be stored in a variety of manners: e.g.,completely at random, by event type, by event type and temporal order ofoccurrence, by event type and particular measurement value, etc.Accordingly, in one example, the processing system may identifycandidate events by retrieving events from the category corresponding tothe selected template state. Various event type matching algorithms andmethods may be used as described herein. In some embodiments, the typeof sorting of the events may provide efficiencies to the matchingalgorithms. For example, a sequential matching algorithm may benefitfrom temporally sorted events.

Once candidate events have been identified based on event type, theactivity processing system may evaluate each of those candidate eventsto determine whether the candidate event matches the constraints of thetemplate state specified in the template. For example, the constraintsof the template state may correspond to the constraints described withrespect to FIG. 11. Accordingly, in step 1215, the activity processingsystem may determine whether non-relative constraints are defined forthe template state. If so, the system may proceed to step 1220, todetermine whether a candidate event meets non-relative constraints ofthe template state (e.g., constraints that are not dependent on othertemplate states). For example, a value of a candidate event may becompared to a value constraint/requirement of the template state. Inanother example, the duration of the candidate event may be compared toa duration constraint of the template state. If none of the candidateevents meet the constraints of the template state, the activityprocessing system may return to step 1210 to search for other candidateevents matching the event type of the selected template state.

If, however, one or more candidate events meet the non-relativeconstraints or if the template state does not include non-relativeconstraints, the activity processing system may determine, in step 1225,whether relative constraints are defined for the template state.Relative constraints may include constraints dependent on other templatestates or available information like aggregate statistics measured fromprior occurrences of a particular event type. For example, a relativeconstraint may include a temporal relationship with another templatestate. If relative constraints are defined, in step 1225, the activityprocessing system may, for each of the one or more other template statescorresponding to the relative constraints, search for one or morecandidate events matching the event type of the other template state. Ifone or more candidate events are identified in step 1230 (based on eventtype), the activity processing system may determine, in step 1240,whether those candidate events meets the relative constraints of theselected template state. For example, if the template requires a firsttemplate state to be within 80 milliseconds of a second template state,the activity processing system may evaluate whether each of thecandidate events for the second template state meets the 80 millisecondrequirement of the first template state.

If the candidate events for the related template state do not match therelative constraints or if no candidate events are found, the activityprocessing system may determine that a match was not found in step 1245.In such a case, the activity processing system may return to step 1210to identify and evaluate other candidate events that may match thetemplate state. If, however, one or more candidate events of the relatedtemplate state do meet the relative constraints of the selected templatestate, the activity processing system may determine, in step 1250,whether other (e.g., remaining) template states have not been processedor matched. If that determination is negative, the activity processingsystem may determine in step 1255 that the template has been matched andregister the action as having been performed by the user. Additionallyor alternatively, additional activity information may be generated basedon the matching events. If, on the other hand, in step 1250, thedetermination is that one or more template states in the template havenot yet been matched, the activity processing system may return to step1205 to select one of the remaining unmatched template events, i.e., forprocessing starting with step 1210.

In one or more arrangements, upon determining that at least one state ina template has not been matched (e.g., in decision steps 1220 and/or1240), the activity processing system may end evaluation of thatparticular template. In such examples, upon ending evaluation, anactivity processing system may select a new template to evaluate (e.g.,if any new template awaits relative to the START step of FIG. 12). Inother examples, the activity processing system may continue evaluatingthat particular template as to the at least one template state, i.e.,toward finding a match. Such continued evaluation may be variouslyconfigured, e.g., to continue for a specified amount of time, for aspecified number of events, until some another (e.g., higher priority)process interrupts such processing, until certain power has beenconsumed or remains (e.g., in battery powered systems), or until othercondition(s) are satisfied, or combination(s) of any of the above orother condition(s) are satisfied. Upon completing evaluation of theparticular template in accordance with the configuration, the activityprocessing system may then select a new template. The configuration forcontinued evaluation may be specific to the particular template,specific to various templates (i.e., not applicable to other individualor group(s) of template(s)), generic among all templates, or specific toone or more activity types. Accordingly, where any such configurationapplies to the particular template, or if the particular template doesnot provide for continued evaluation once at least one of the template'sstates is determined not to be matched, the activity processing systemmight end evaluation of the particular template. In alternativeexamples, the activity processing system might continually (and, subjectto physical and practical limitations, indefinitely) evaluate aparticular template.

When an activity processing system ends evaluation of a first templateand transitions to evaluation of a second template, the activityprocessing system may require a specified amount of time. This time mayresult in perceived lag to the user. Accordingly, in some arrangements,the activity processing system may provide the user with notificationthat the activity processing system is transitioning to consideration ofanother template. Additionally or alternatively, the activity processingsystem may provide the user with various information, images, feedback,etc. to occupy the user's attention while the transition is completed.For example, the activity processing system may display statisticsrelating to a previously evaluated template, current activity metrics,information about a location in which the user is performing activityand the like and/or combinations thereof.

The activity processing system may also perform calibration orre-calibration of one or more sensors, of a template and/or of thetemplate matching process. For example, if the activity processingsystem determines that a template has not matched in a previous numberof attempts (e.g., 10, 20, 50, 100, etc.), the activity processingsystem may automatically trigger a re-calibration process.Alternatively, the calibration or re-calibration process may betriggered by user input. For example, a user may determine that theactivity processing system should have detected a two foot jump, but didnot. Accordingly, the user may provide input (e.g., a button press,touch input, etc.) to trigger calibration or re-calibration. In oneexample, calibration or re-calibration may include increasingsensitivity of one or more sensors to a level where an event or actionthat should have been detected is detected. In another example,calibration or re-calibration may include modifying constraintparameters (e.g., scoring distribution parameters as described herein)such that a candidate event that did not score as a match, scores as amatch with the constraint. In yet another example, re-calibration mayinclude modifying a match tolerance so that a candidate event that didnot match, would match. Alternatively or additionally, calibration orre-calibration may include modifying sensor parameters, templateparameters and/or template matching parameters to exclude events oractions that should not have been detected. For example, sensorsensitivity may be decreased, template constraints or states may benarrowed and/or template matching thresholds may be decreased.Calibration or re-calibration may further be performed based on otherfactors or parameters including user characteristics, environmentalcharacteristics, social characteristics and the like. For example, auser's shoe size may be used to calibrate sensor sensitivity or scoringdistribution parameters in a template. In another example, weatherconditions of a user's performance may affect sensor sensitivity or athreshold with which matches are evaluated. Various other modificationsto parameters of the sensing, detecting and matching process may beincorporated to calibrate or re-calibrate event and action detection.

In one or more examples, an activity processing system may search forcandidate events (e.g., in step 1230) that match the event type of therelated template state and that match the relative constraints of theselected template state. Accordingly, if the template requires that thetemplate state occur within 500 milliseconds of another template statesuch as a foot launch state, the activity processing system may searchfor candidate foot launch events that are within 500 milliseconds of adetection time of the template state to insure that the relativeconstraint is met. In one or more arrangements, the activity processingsystem may search for candidate events for a predefined amount of time.For example, the searching period may be defined by a relative timeconstraint between the template state and the related template state. Ina particular example, if the template state includes a constraint that arelated template state must occur within 5 seconds, the searching periodmay be defined as 5 seconds after detection of the template state. Ifcandidate events are found (e.g., per step 1235), the activityprocessing system may return to step 1215 to determine whether thecandidate event(s) of the related template state meet the constraintsapplicable to that related template state. Accordingly, the activityprocessing system may perform a recursive process whereby the activityprocessing system determines whether the related template event exists.

The activity processing system may further be configured tonon-dimensionalize, normalize or scale events. Non-dimensionalization orscaling of events may correspond to scaling or non-dimensionalizingtime, an event value, an event duration and the like. In one example, anabsolute time at which events were detected is converted to a relativetime. For example, a temporal location of the events may be definedrelative to an overall amount of time between the first and secondpredefined events. In a particular example, the time at which an eventoccurs may be defined as or scaled to a percentage of the durationbetween the predefined events. Thus, the identified first predefinedevent (e.g., an action starting event) may be set as time 0 while thesecond identified event (e.g., an action ending event) may be set astime 100 regardless of the actual time span between the two events. Theevents existing between the first and second predefined events may thusbe scaled to a time between 0 and 100. The non-dimensionalization of atemplate and corresponding event window allows a system to detectactions for varying speeds of performance. Thus, regardless of whetherthe action is performed over a span of 10 seconds or 2 seconds, thesystem may detect the corresponding combination of events as matchingthe action template. In some examples, non-dimensionalization may beperformed regardless of an amount of time between two or more events. Inother examples, non-dimensionalization might only be performed if theamount of time between the two or more events are below a specifiedthreshold, within a window of durations, above a specified threshold andthe like and/or combinations thereof.

In another example, non-dimensionalization or scaling may includenormalization of event values such that they are more readilycomparable. For example, a sensitivity of a force sensor in a right shoemay be greater than the sensitivity of a force sensor in a left shoe.Accordingly, the force values of the right shoe sensor and the left shoesensor may be normalized to facilitate comparison and processing of thevalues. In a particular example, if a constraint includes a forcedetected by a right shoe being within 10% of a force detected by a leftshoe, normalization may be needed to insure appropriate matching ofevents and constraints, e.g., when sensitivity differences exist.

According to other aspects, templates may further include predefinedexclusion events. Exclusion events may be used to define conditionsunder which one or more candidate events are disqualified from matchingthe template. The exclusion events may be defined on an action-by-action(e.g., template-by-template) basis or may be defined to apply to allactions/templates. In the example of a jump template, an exclusion eventmay correspond to a foot contact event existing between a foot launchevent and another foot contact event since a jump generally does notinclude an intermediate foot contact event. If an exclusion event isdetected, the series of events may be removed from consideration as amatch with the template.

Additionally or alternatively, determining whether a specified templateor event thereof has been matched may further include a level oftolerance. For example, if the one or more events matches 90% of thespecified template, the events may be considered a match and thecorresponding action may be registered. In a particular example, thetemplate may include 15 events while the series of events matches 14 ofthose 15 events. In such a case, with a 90% tolerance level, the systemmay determine that the series of events matches the template. Otherfactors beyond matching the type of events in the templates may be used.For example, timing of the events may also be compared to determinewhether a match exists. As with matching the type of events detected, atolerance level may be defined to allow for deviations in timing of theevents.

Template matching processes may be invoked at various times and undervarious conditions. For example, template matching may be performedperiodically, in response to a trigger by an event aggregation andstorage unit, and/or based on user input into the system. In aparticular example, an event aggregation and storage unit may triggerthe template matching process upon determining that a threshold amountof events has been received from one or more sensor systems and stored.In another example, a user may select an option or function to processactivity data from a recent activity session. In one or moreconfigurations, the type and amount of event information that isprocessed during template matching might also be limited or specifiedbased on one or more factors. For example, the template matching processmay use all event occurrences since a last positive match of theactivity template. In another example, the template matching processmight only use event occurrences within a pre-specified temporal window.In still another example, the template matching process may use onlyevent occurrences that have met prior filtering criteria (such asmeeting certain intra- or inter-event quality checks). Accordingly,various methods, parameters and specifications may be used to enhanceefficiency and processing speed.

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate example data processing flows for identifyingactions performed by the user using various types of devices, sensorsand the like. For example, FIG. 13A illustrates various processes thatmay be performed by one or more devices. The processes may include eventgeneration, event aggregation and storage, template-based activitydetection and processing/presentation of detection results (e.g.,determining metrics associated with the detected activity and presentingsuch metrics to the user). These processes may be performed by a singledevice or multiple devices. In one example, all of the describedprocesses may be performed by an activity processing device, a sensorsystem, a computing device, a mobile communication device, a cloudsystem, a server and the like. In another example, performance of thevarious processes may be divided amongst a plurality of theaforementioned devices. Accordingly, in an example, event generation maybe performed by a sensor system while event aggregation and storage,template-based activity detection and processing and presentation ofdetection results may be performed by another device such as theactivity processing system. In yet another example, the sensor systemmay be configured to provide event generation, the activity processingsystem may be configured to provide event aggregation and storage aswell as template-based activity detection and a third device (e.g., amobile communication device or computing device) may be configured toprocess and present detection results.

FIG. 13B illustrates an example configuration in which 4 devices orsystems are used to perform activity detection processes. For example, auser may wear two shoes, a right shoe and a left shoe, each with its ownsensor or sensor system. Each of those sensors or sensor systems may beconfigured to generate events based on detected sensor signals. Asmartphone (or other mobile communication device) may be configured toreceive the generated event information, aggregate and store the eventinformation and perform template-based activity detection based on theevent information. The results of the template-based activity detectionmay be processed to generate metrics and other types of activityinformation for the detected action by the smartphone or by anotherdevice such as a web application, system or server. Accordingly, a usermay be able to view detected activity information through multipledevices.

FIG. 13C illustrates another example system configuration whereby eventsmay be generated by various types of devices including a chest strap(e.g., to detect heart rate and/or body temperature), a locationdetermination device such as a GPS watch and an environmental detectionsystem such as a weather station. The event information generated bythese devices may be collected and stored in a cloud device, system orserver for accessibility through a public or private network. Theaggregated event information may then be retrieved by one or more otherdevices such as a personal computer, smartphone, other mobilecommunication device, tablet computer, game consoles, web servers andthe like. Upon retrieval, the personal computer may performtemplate-based matching and activity detection and process and presentdetection results.

FIG. 13D illustrates an example system in which all of theabove-described processes may be performed by a single device, e.g., anactivity processing device or system. For example, events may begenerated by the activity processing system based signals from sensorsincluded therein, user input, activity processing system output (e.g.,alerts, displays, notifications, sounds, conditions, etc.) and the likeand/or combinations thereof. The activity processing system may thenprocess the events to perform template-based activity detection.Detection results may be shared with other devices as desired or needed.Accordingly, activity detection results may also be processed andpresented by a web server, a cloud system, a mobile computing orcommunication device, game consoles, personal computing devices and thelike.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example template. The example template 1400 maybe defined in the form of an array. The first element in a templatestate array (e.g., template state arrays 1401 a-1401 h) is the indexnumber of the state in the template (starting with zero). The secondelement in each of the template state arrays is the text label for aspecific event type. For excluded template states (e.g., represented byarrays 1401 e-1401 h), the third and fourth elements in the templatestate array are prior template state indices. In one configuration, theinterpretation of the excluded template state syntax is: every knownoccurrence of the excluded event type (specified by the second elementin the template state array) should not occur between the matchingoccurrences of the prior template state events specified by the last twoarray elements.

For included template states, template state array elements 3 through 9specify how to score the relative event occurrence time stamp of amatching or candidate event. For example, elements 3 through 9 mayrepresent various constraints that must be matched. If the value ofarray element 3 is −1, the temporal reference point is the time that thetemplate match process was initiated. Otherwise, the value of arrayelement 3 is a reference to another template state, and the temporalreference point is the event occurrence time stamp of the matching eventfor the prior template state. Array element 4 is the temporal offsetapplied to the temporal reference point. The temporal offset, in one ormore example embodiments, as appropriate to activities and/or events,may be in units of milliseconds.

Array element 5 describes the type of scoring distribution applied tothe relative time value. Examples distributions include:ESP_DIST_INCREASING, ESP_DIST_DECREASING, andESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING. In one or more example embodiments, thesethree distributions are the permissible types. Array elements 6 through9 are the parameters of the distribution. In one example process ofscoring the relative occurrence time of an event, assume the following:T_e is the event occurrence time of the (potentially matching) event,T_o is the temporal reference point, dT is the millisecond offset, andP_1, P_2, P_3, and P_4 are the distribution parameters. Note, in someexamples, the following rules may be enforced: P_1<=P_2<=P_3<=P_4; and,additionally, 0<=P_1 if the distribution is ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING.The relative event occurrence time may then be scored according to thefollowing example formulas:

If the scoring distribution is type ESP_DIST_INCREASING, then the score,S, may be computed as:

S=0 if (T_e−T_o−dT)<P_1

(T_e−T_o−dT−P_1)/(P_2−P_1) if P_1<=(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_2

1+(T_e−T_o−dT−P_2)/(P_3−P_2) if P_2<=(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_3

2+(T_e−T_o−dT−P_3)/(P_4−P_3) if P_3<=(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_4

3 if P_4<=(T_e−T_o−dT)

If the scoring distribution is type ESP_DIST_DECREASING, then the score,S, may be computed as:

S=3 if (T_e−T_o−dT)<P_1

3−(T_e−T_o−dT−P_1)/(P_2−P_1) if P_1(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_2

2−(T_e−T_o−dT−P_2)/(P_3−P_2) if P_2<=(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_3

1−(T_e−T_o−dT−P_3)/(P_4−P_3) if P_3<=(T_e−T_o−dT)<P_4

0 if P_4<=(T_e−T_o−dT)

If the scoring distribution is type ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING, then thescore, S, may be computed as:

S=3 if |T_e−T_o−dT|<P_1

3−(|T_e−T_o−dT|−P_1)/(P_2−P_1) if P_1<=|T_e−T_o−dT|<P_2

2−(|T_e−T_o−dT|−P_2)/(P_3−P_2) if P_2<=|T_e−T_o−dT|<P_3

1−(|T_e−T_o−dT|−P_3)/(P_4−P_3) if P_3<=|T_e−T_o−dT|<P_4

0 if P_4<=|T_e−T_o−dT|

Using the above equations, for a match to be found, the relativetemporal occurrence score must be greater than 0.

Template state array elements 10 through 15 specify how to score theevent generation time stamp. Array element 10 is a flag indicatingwhether or not the event generation time stamp should be scored. If thevalue is 0, no score is computed. If the value is not 0, the eventgeneration time stamp is scored. Array elements 11 through 15 areanalogous to elements 5 through 9; and may use an analogous scorecomputation. In one arrangement, there might be no reference valueapplied to the event generation time stamp; just an offset. If the eventgeneration time stamp is scored, a matching event to the template statemust achieve a score above zero.

Analogous to the event generation time stamp scoring, array elements 16through 21 specify if and how the event value should be scored. If theevent value is scored, a matching event to the template state mustachieve a score above zero.

Finally, template state elements 22 through 27 specify if and how theevent duration should be scored. The event duration may be either (i)the time difference between the event occurrence time stamp of the eventbeing scored and the event occurrence time stamp of the immediatelysubsequent (in time) occurrence of the same type of event; or (ii) ifthe event occurrence being scored is the most recent occurrence of thatparticular event type, the event duration is the time difference betweenthe event occurrence time stamp and the time that the template matchprocess was initiated. If array element 22 is set to 0, no score iscomputed. If it is set to −2, the event duration is relativized by thetime difference between the event being scored and time that thetemplate matching process was initiated before being scored. Otherwise,the event duration may be scored analogously to the event generationtime stamp and the event value. As above, if the event duration isscored, a matching event to the template state must achieve a scoreabove zero.

As noted herein, other types of constraints (e.g., beyond duration,event generation time stamp, and relative event occurrence time stamp)may be defined. Accordingly, further values and/or parameters may beadded to the template state array. For example, the template state arraymay be expanded to include further array parameters and value. In otherexamples, the template state array may be reduced in size if one or moreof the above-described constraints are not needed or desired.

In some examples, temporal constraints may be defined based on anearliest time that an event time stamp could have occurred. Based onthat threshold, the algorithm may better (e.g., more efficiently)determine when a set or group of events, stored by type and chronology,can no longer provide a possible match. Moreover, relative temporalconstraints may reference earlier template states. Accordingly, when thealgorithm determines that no candidate events is able to satisfy therelative temporal constraint, a processing system may determine that thesystem may need to consider a different event for at least one of thereferenced template. Thus, the incremental search can be backtracked upto the referenced template states. Additionally or alternatively,template states that are not referenced by subsequent reference states(i.e., are leaves in the tree defined by constraint references) may besearched at any point (e.g., as opposed to incrementally). Exclusionconstraints, similar to relative temporal constraints, may referenceearlier template states. As such, a failed exclusion constraint mayenable the incremental search to be backtracked up to the referencedtemplate states.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example event graph in which various events areidentified as matching a template based on scoring of the relative eventoccurrence time stamp of candidate events. Each of the differentpatterned lines represents the scoring distribution for a differentcandidate or matching event, where each of those different events matchone of the following states (each state is defined on its own line) in atemplate:

-   0: −1,−200,“ESP_DIST_INCREASING”,0,0,0,0-   1: 0,0,“ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING”,20,40,60,80-   2: 1,0,“ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING”,0,10,20,30-   3: 0,−500,“ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING”,150,200,250,300-   4: 3,0,“ESP_DIST_DECREASING”,−50,−40,−30,−20

By way of example, the elements in state 1 may be interpreted asfollows:

-   -   1—State identifier    -   0—Indication that state 0 is the temporal reference point    -   0—Indication that relative to the timestamp of the event that        matches state 0, not applying any offset (in milliseconds)    -   “ESP_DIST_ABSVAL_DECREASING”—Indication of the kind of        cost/scoring distribution curve    -   20—to score a 3, the timestamp of the event that matches state 1        needs to be within 20 milliseconds of the timestamp of the event        that matches state 0    -   40—to score between 2 and 3, the timestamp of the event that        matches state 1 needs to be at least 20 milliseconds, but no        more than 40 milliseconds, different from the timestamp of the        event that matches state 0    -   60—to score between 1 and 2, the timestamp of the event that        matches state 1 needs to be at least 40 milliseconds, but no        more than 60 milliseconds, different from the timestamp of the        event that matches state 0    -   80—to score between 0 and 1, the timestamp of the event that        matches state 1 needs to be at least 60 milliseconds, but no        more than 80 milliseconds, different from the timestamp of the        event that matches state 0

Accordingly, if the temporal offset were modified to −200 milliseconds,for example, then the temporal constraint on an event to match state 1would be that a candidate event must occur +/−80 milliseconds from 200milliseconds before the time stamp of the event that matches on state 0.So, if the matching event for state 0 occurred at time 1290, thetemporal constraint for state 1 would translate to: after 1010(1290−200−80) and before 1170 (1290−200+80). In the graph, the time spanof each of the state scoring distributions corresponds to a range oftimes during which a matching event may exist.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example data and processing flow that may be usedto analyze sensor data and events and detect various actions performedby a user during an activity. For example, a sensor or sensor systemhaving sensor firmware may be configured to collect raw sensor data,smooth and filter the data, as needed, and to provide granular orlow-level event detection as described herein. The sensor or sensorsystem may be configured with various circuits, processors andcombinations of software and/or firmware to provide the requisiteprocessing. Once low-level events have been detected, the low-levelevent information may be passed to an activity processing device orsystem. The activity processing device or system may be integrallyhoused or may be physically separate from the sensor or sensor system.In one example, an activity processing device or system may communicatewith the sensor system via wireless or wired communications includingshort range wireless protocols such as BLUETOOTH and BLUETOOTH—LOWENERGY, cellular communications, Wi-Fi, satellite communications and thelike. The activity processing system may store the events in a cache,buffer or other memory systems and subsequently process events againstpredefined action templates. In one or more examples, the activityprocessing device or system processes events incrementally and/or as awindow of events. Based on comparisons between the processed events andthe action templates, the system may identify one or more actions thatwere performed, e.g., during the window of events.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate example event identification within signalstreams for shoe based sensors. For example, FIG. 18 illustrates examplesignals from two shoe-based sensors during user performance of a jumpingjack exercise or drill. The upper signal 1803 represents the signal froma right shoe-based sensor and the lower signal 1801 represents thesignal from a left shoe-based sensor. Labels 0-13 may represent variousdetected events within the signal stream. For example, the labels mayrepresent the following detected events or states:

-   -   0) Jump right strike    -   1) Jump left strike    -   2) Jump left launch    -   3) Jump rith launch    -   4) Integral of right x acc above threshold    -   5) Integral of left X acc below threshold    -   6) Jump left strike    -   7) Jump right strike    -   8 and 10) Minimum derivative left z acc    -   9 and 11) Minimum derivative right Z acc    -   12) Integral of left X acc above threshold    -   13) Integral of right X acc below threshold

The set of events identified by labels 0-13 may correspond to a jumpingjack action template. Accordingly, when a set of events matching events0-13 are detected in a specified order and/or timing, the system maydetermine that the user has completed one jumping jack. In anotherexample, a jumping jack template may specify that 7 events must bedetected in a particular sequence and within a given timing. Theseevents may include a left foot strike, left foot launch, right footlaunch, right foot strike, left foot z integral above a specifiedthreshold, right foot z integral above a specified threshold, a left zintegral below a threshold and a right foot z integral below athreshold. While a set of detected events may include all of specifiedevents of the applicable template, a template match arises when theevents satisfy the specified order and timing defined by the templateconstraints. As noted above, a match process may first identify thatfirst and second predefined events exist. These events may correspond tojumping jack boundary events such as the left foot launch (start event)and a left foot strike (end event). The required timing for the otherevents may be specified as percentages of the duration between thedetected left foot launch and the left foot strike. For example, theright launch event may be required to exist at 10% of the durationbefore the end event, i.e., the left foot strike event. The z integralevents may correspond to a distance or a velocity depending on the typeof sensor reading. In the example of an accelerometer, the z integralmay correspond to foot velocity along the z-axis.

In some arrangements, various events may be designated within thetemplate as optional, bonus or exclusion. Optional events may bedetected for better event detection accuracy, for instance, while bonusevents may correspond to better or more accurate performance of thecorresponding action. Matching bonus events may improve a user's actionperformance quality score and/or provide rewards to the user (e.g.,additional activity points or higher metrics). Exclusion events, asdescribed, may specify when a series of events should be discounted ordisregarded as a potential match with the jumping jack action template.For example, if a left foot strike event is detected between the leftfoot launch start event and the left foot strike end event, the seriesof events may be discarded as a potential match with a jumping jackaction since the user's foot landed multiple times within the timespan.

A jumping jack activity type and/or template may further specify datasources from which sensor information is to be evaluated for eventdetection. Accordingly, an activity processing system may notify thesensor system of the types of data and data sources to monitor. In theabove example of jumping jacks, the subscriptions may include footstrike and foot launch, x accelerations of one or more threshold values,two x integrals based on one or more threshold crossings and zacceleration derivatives having a max/min of a specified amount orthreshold. Accordingly, the sensor system might only monitor sensorsproviding the above specified information and might only return eventsthat correspond to the desired information and thresholds. For example,a foot strike having a contact pressure below a specified thresholdmight not be returned to the activity processing system as a foot strikeevent. The sensor system may also differentiate between foot strikeevents of a first threshold pressure and foot strike events of a secondthreshold pressure if multiple pressure thresholds are specified in thesubscription. Various other configurations of sensor subscriptions maybe defined as needed for particular types of activities.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example signal stream for right and leftshoe-based sensors. The signal stream corresponds to an activity inwhich the user may perform a counter jump. Accordingly, the event labelsnoted in the graph may correspond to identification of portions of thesignal stream that match a counter jump template, for instance.

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another example signal stream, where the user isperforming a beep sprint drill/activity.

As described herein, in some arrangements, a sensor system used foractivity monitoring and tracking may include force sensitive elements.Force sensitive elements may operate by detecting an amount ofresistance within a circuit, which may vary based on an amount ofpressure applied. Accordingly, a force sensitive sensor system maycorrelate a detected amount of resistance to a level of force orpressure by using a predefined look-up table. In some instances,however, the accuracy of a given table may decrease over time. Stateddifferently, the resistance-to-force profile of a sensor system maychange over time. To compensate for such changes, the force sensitivesensor system may modify the force-to-pressure lookup table or select anew force-to-pressure lookup table.

To detect whether a force-to-pressure profile has changed within theforce sensitive sensor system, the force sensitive sensor system maydetermine how much resistance is detected when a user's foot is on theground and amount of resistance detected when the user's foot is off theground. Based on this differential, a new force-to-pressure profile maybe selected and used instead. In one example, the user may manuallyindicate when his or her foot is off and on the ground during acalibration mode. In other examples, the force sensitive sensor systemmay perform automatic self-calibration continuously and/or based on apredefined schedule or intervals. Various profiles may be defined basedon empirical studies and analyses. In some arrangements, an average of aprevious X number of steps or foot contact/foot non-contact event pairsmay be analyzed to determine the resistance differential and tosubsequently adjust the pressure profile. By modifying the pressureprofile over time, the accuracy in detecting events and gauging variousmetrics may be enhanced.

Such calibration techniques are not limited to foot-based sensorsystems. Other force sensitive sensor systems worn or used elsewhere ona user's body may also be calibrated using similar methods.

CONCLUSION

Providing an activity environment having one or more of the featuresdescribed herein may provide a user with an experience that willencourage and motivate the user to engage in athletic activities andimprove his or her fitness. Users may further communicate through socialcommunities and challenge one another to participate in pointchallenges.

Aspects of the embodiments have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may beperformed in other than the recited order, and that one or more stepsillustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of theembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, from one or more sensors and by a sensor system, raw sensordata; identifying, by the sensor system and from the raw sensor data, aplurality of events detected from one or more sensor signal streamsduring performance of the athletic activity by a user; responsive toidentifying the plurality of events, transmitting from the sensor systemto an activity processing system, the sensor data; analyzing, by theactivity processing system, the received sensor data to evaluate theplurality of events against one or more constraints of a first actiontemplate to determine whether the user performed a first type of actioncorresponding to the first action template; determining, by the activityprocessing system, whether the plurality of events matches the firstaction template based on the evaluation of the plurality of eventsagainst the one or more constraints of the first action template; and inresponse to determining that the plurality of events matches the one ormore constraints of the first action template, registering, by theactivity processing system, user performance of the first type of actioncorresponding to the first action template.
 2. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether one or moreevents of the plurality of events matches an exclusion state constraintdefined in the first action template; and in response to determiningthat the one or more events matches the exclusion state constraint,determining that the one or more events is not a match with the firstaction template or that the plurality of events are not a match with thefirst action template.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein comparing the plurality of events to a first action templateincludes: selecting a first state from the first action template toevaluate; and determining whether a first candidate event of theplurality of events meets one or more non-relative constraints of thefirst state.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, whereincomparing the plurality of events to the first action template furtherincludes: determining whether the first candidate event meets one ormore relative constraints of the first state, wherein the one or morerelative constraints defines a required relationship between the firstcandidate event and a second candidate event.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the one or more relativeconstraints further define at least one of: a required relative timingbetween a current template matching analysis and one or more pasttemplate matching analyses of one or more other events, and a requiredrelationship with statistics regarding prior occurrences of events of atype corresponding to the first state.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 4, wherein determining whether the first candidate eventmeets the one or more relative constraints of the first state includes:determining whether the second candidate event of the plurality ofevents meets the one or more relative constraints of the first event;and in response to determining that the second candidate event meets theone or more relative constraints of the first event, determining whetherthe second candidate event meets one or more constraints of the secondevent specified in the first action template.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein upon determining thatthe first candidate event meets the non-relative and relativeconstraints of the first state, analyzing each of one or more remainingtemplate states in a sequential order such that the analysis for each ofthe one or more remaining template state includes: determining whether acandidate event from the plurality of events meets the one or morenon-relative constraints of the template state being analyzed;determining whether the candidate event from the plurality of eventsthat satisfied the non-relative constraints of the template state beinganalyzed also satisfies one or more relative constraints of the templatestate being analyzed, wherein the one or more relative constraintsdepend on one or more template states already analyzed; and in responseto determining that the candidate event meets the one or morenon-relative and relative constraints of the template state beinganalyzed, proceeding to analyze another remaining template state.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: registeruser performance of a second type of action based on the plurality ofevents matching a second action template, wherein each of the first andsecond action templates corresponds to a different type of action. 9.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprisingnon-dimensionalizing one or more characteristics of the plurality ofevents.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a level of match between the plurality of eventsand the first action template; and generating one or more instructionsor recommendations for improving user performance of the first type ofaction based on one or more of: the determined level of match, alocation of the user performance of the first type of action and a timeof the user performance of the first type of action.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: determiningthat the plurality of events matches the first action template and asecond action template; selecting one of the first and second templates;and defining the first type of action based on the selected one of thefirst and second templates.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim11, wherein selecting the one of the first and second action templatesincludes: determining a first level of match between the plurality ofevents and the first action template; determining a second level ofmatch between the plurality of events and the second action template;and selecting the one of the first and second templates having a greaterlevel of match.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinthe first action template includes a match tolerance.
 14. A systemcomprising: a sensor system including one or more sensors, the sensorsystem further including: at least a first processor; and at least afirst memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed,cause the at least a first processor to: receive, from one or moresensors, raw sensor data; identify, from the raw sensor data, aplurality of events detected from one or more sensor signal streamsduring performance of the athletic activity by a user; responsive toidentifying a plurality of events, transmit to an activity processingsystem, the sensor data; the activity processing system, including: atleast a second processor; and at least a second memory storing computerreadable instructions that, when executed, cause the at least a secondprocessor to: receive the transmitted sensor data; analyze the receivedsensor data to evaluate the plurality of events against one or moreconstraints of a first action template to determine whether the userperformed a first type of action corresponding to the first actiontemplate; determine whether the plurality of events matches the firstaction template based on the evaluation of the plurality of eventsagainst the one or more constraints of the first action template; and inresponse to determining that the plurality of events matches the one ormore constraints of the first action template, register user performanceof the first type of action corresponding to the first action template.15. A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying, by anactivity processing system, a plurality of action templates associatedwith a type of physical activity; receiving, from one or more sensorsand by a sensor system, raw sensor data; identifying, by the sensorsystem and from the raw sensor data, a plurality of events detected fromone or more sensor signal streams during performance of the identifiedtype of athletic activity by a user, the one or more signal streamsincluding at least one stream from an image-capturing device; responsiveto identifying the plurality of events, transmitting from the sensorsystem to the activity processing system, the sensor data; analyzing, byactivity processing system, the sensor data received from the sensorsystem to evaluate the plurality of events against one or moreconstraints of the plurality of action templates to determine whetherthe user performed a first type of action corresponding to the firstaction template; determining, by the activity processing system, whetherthe plurality of events matches at least one action template of theplurality of action templates based on the evaluation of the pluralityof events against the one or more constraints of the plurality of actiontemplates; and in response to determining that the plurality of eventsmatches the one or more constraints of the at least one action templateof the plurality of action templates, registering, by the activityprocessing system user performance of a first type of action associatedwith the identified physical activity and corresponding to the at leastone action template of the plurality of action templates.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further including determining at least one metricassociated with performance of the first type of action.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further including: determining whether the user performanceof the first type of action is below a specified threshold; andresponsive to determining that the user performance of the first type ofaction is below the specified threshold, providing coaching to the userperforming the first type of action.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe coaching includes instructions for improving the user's performanceof the first type of action.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the atleast one action template includes a match tolerance.